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FCCPC sets for showdown with PoS agents over new price fixing

 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it will issue an order against moves by Point of Sale (PoS) agents against hiking transaction charges across the country.

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Irukera, said the order would be issued in a couple of hours, warning that violations will attract sanctions, as per reporting by Punch.

He said: “What we did initially was to issue an advisory, which is part of the process — engagement. After which we would employ other tools of engagement. Other tools of enforcement involve issuing an order. If you hold on a little, you will see it. What we did initially was not an order, but very soon an order is coming.

“It will get to you in a matter of hours. An order is forthcoming and will be directed specifically at the association and the agents. Now, when there is a subsisting order, the violation of the order is what would precipitate enforcement.”

Earlier in July, the FCCPC announced that it was investigating price fixing attempts by Point of Sales agents and will sanction them if they are found guilty. It asked AMMBAN to desist from attempts to fix PoS prices.

Recently, PoS agents under the aegis of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, announced increments in the prices of their transaction charges. Despite kickbacks from various stakeholders, AMMBAN began the implementation of its new prices on July 17, 2023