Group Calls For Framework To Protect E-Commerce Patrons

The Consumer Advocacy Forum of Nigeria (CAFON) on Monday urged governments to establish structures that would protect potential consumers that trade online.

The President of the Forum, Ms Sola Salako told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the massive risk involved with online trading made it imperative for those involved in it to be protected.

“Online trading is very interesting, but there is a massive risk involved. Governments should put in place good structures that will protect the consumers.

“Consumers are actually running at a big risk because when one pays online, he is at the risk of not getting what he paid for and the means of tracing the product is not available,” Salako said.

She said it was interesting that e-commerce had thrived in the country, in spite of the many challenges, especially in the area of infrastructure.

She also said that lack of credit and thrust in the nation’s e-commerce were drawbacks to the system.

Salako said that the source to verify the financial strength of the business owner and to authenticate the genuineness of the seller should be established by the authorities to protect consumers.

“The fact that one can sit at home, trade and the goods brought to your doorstep, is a welcome development and Nigerians have imbibed such idea,“ she said.

NAN reports that electronic commerce, otherwise known as e-commerce, has positively influenced the buying and selling of goods and services in the country and help add to the list of Recent Vacancies in Nigeria as quite a many are recruited for the activities.