E-transaction bill not necessary for E-commerce to thrive in Nigeria – Supermarket.ng

Following the rise of electronic commercial activities in Nigeria and its contributions to the growth of the economy, stakeholders have long been agitating for policies and regulatory frameworks that will aid continuous growth and orderly conduct of electronic transactions in a manner that will be beneficial to sellers and buyers.

As a result of the arising issues in e-commerce, the Electronic Transaction Bill was presented to the previous National Assembly for deliberation. A few concerns about the bill have been raised by e-commerce businesses in the country that are anxiously waiting for its passage into an Act.

Some of the key issues highlighted in the bill are; none disclosure of full information on products and services, deceptive advertisement, improper description of products, delivery of defective products, poor informal dispute settlement procedures, double payments and poor customer service.

Reacting to this development, the Media Officer of Supermart.ng, Oluwatayo Alofun said that although the idea of the bill is instrumental in bringing order to Nigeria’s e-commerce, there is a need for e-commerce businesses to look beyond seeing regulations as the compelling factor for rendering quality services to consumers.

“We have promised our customers that their groceries will be delivered as early as 3 hours after placing an order. We understand that a customer’s time is very precious to the individual so we make it a goal to deliver on that promise against any logistic challenge. This has not been easy but we owe it to them to give them the best as we have promised. We don’t need any regulatory body before we satisfy our customers”, he said.

Speaking on the highlights of the proposed bill, Alofun said, “these issues all boil down to conscious efforts on our part as e-commerce business operators to put our customers’ interests first in our dealings. This is what Supermart.ng has been doing since inception even without any e-transaction bill. For example, when we employ dispatch riders, they are professionally trained to talk to customers politely, they are equipped with smartphones in order to provide up to date information to customers about their orders. We leave nothing to chance as regards to customer service and this makes it almost impossible for us to fail on our promises”.

Nevertheless, Alofun expressed hope in the possibility of the Bill to improve the state of e-commerce in Nigeria and to boost consumer’s confidence in the electronic transaction system. He therefore urges the executive arm of the executive arm of the government to consider the Bill for assent into an Act.
Jumoke Akiyode