By CHATULA KANGALI –
THE Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has called on Government to increase funding and skills development to statutory bodies mandated to protect consumers.
ZACA executive Director  Samuel Simutunda said in an  interview that there was need  for  statutory bodies to have  more  funding and man power for  executing  their  duties.
Mr Simutunda said statutory bodies such as the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), Consumer Competition Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Zambia Weight and Measures Agency (ZWMA)  needed more fund allocation and man power.
He  said  the association wants  more  consumers to be reached  out and  protected  from  exploitation and  substandard  goods.
“We want Government increase funding in these statutory body that protect consumers, consumers have suffered exploitation. More funds should be allocated in order to allow them reach out to all parts of the country,” he said.
Mr Simutunda said the association was concerned with the increasing number of substandard products which were sold to consumers around the country.
He  said  ZABS needed  more funds and  man power to carry out inspection of goods which  are  sold to consumers.
Mr Simutunda said CCPC was playing a great role in protecting consumers from unfair pricing of goods and services and that there was need for the commission to reach out even to the remotest part of the country.
He observed that the sale of underweight products was every where and that ZWMA needed to expedite its inspection and bring more culprits to book.
Mr Simutunda  further  expressed  disappointment on the  recent reports  were loaves  of  underweight  bread  were confiscated  from a  chain store  in Ndola.