Consumer Protection Bill Becomes Law 

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Bill entitled: “The Consumer Protection Act, 2020” was passed into law by the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 6th August 2020, with some amendments, after an extensive debate.

The Act is seeking to provide for the protection and promotion of the interest of the consumers and provide for the establishment of a National Consumer Commission and other related matters.

The Bill was piloted by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy. It was debated on a separate date by Parliament before committal to a joint committee for further scrutiny.

The Minister had earlier informed the House that the objective of the Bill is to enhance the protection and rights of the consumers in a free market economy; to address issues surrounding a restricted market, and to allow a free flow market in respect of consumer protection in Sierra Leone.

Presenting the Joint Committal Report of Legislative and Trade Committees, the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Hon. Hindolo M. Gevao informed the Committee of the Whole House that, both the Legislative and Trade Committees proposed the amendments with inputs from Standard Bureau and Trader’s Unions present during the course of the hearings.

In light of the recommendations, the Chairman disclosed that the Committees spent few days to amend and scrutinize the long and short titles, definitions, paragraphs, clauses, fines, and penalties on culprits, service delivery and safety, consumer protection, composition of the Board among others.

He assured the Committee of the Whole House that the Report reflects a consensus of Honourable Members of both Committees who formed part of the deliberations.

After presenting the Report, the Chairman was accorded a resounding applause for a job well done; before the recommendations were adopted and the said Bill passed with some amendments.