A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission and the Simbu Provincial Government for collaboration and cooperation.
The MoU paves the way for both parties to work together and enforce the consumer protection, completion, and economic regulation work for the ICCC.
Under the MoU, a Business Development Officer (BDO) within the Commerce Division of the Provincial Administration will be formally recognized and resourced as an ICCC appointed agent to perform the monitoring and enforcement function of the ICCC.
The BDO will work in close collaboration with the ICCC’s Highlands Regional office and will be guided and required under the MoU to undertake 11 main activities.
They include among others:
- Receiving and conducting consumer complaints;
- Conducting monthly fuel price checks;
- Conduct periodic surveillance of prices of declared monitored goods (rice, flour, sugar;
- Undertaking product safety surveillance and enforcing compliance of products banned by the ICCC; and
- Collaborating with the Chimbu Commerce Advisor, provincial Police Commander, Section head of the Provincial Land Transport Board, and their relevant stakeholders to ensure price of declared services (PMV/Taxi’s) set by the Commission are observed.
ICCC Commissioner and CEO, Paulus Ain said the arrangement was a win-win outcome for both parties, especially the business and consumers of Chimbu.
He added that it will enable the ICCC to increase its footprint in the provinces where it currently undertakes periodic monitoring and inspection.
ICCC has commended the Simbu Provincial Government for accepting the responsibility and is also planning to include other provincial centres such as Milne Bay, Manus, Hela, Enga, and Morobe Provinces.
The Commission is currently liaising with these provinces to formalise the MoU arrangements.