MICEP FOOD PLAN
Return, Cancellation & Refund Policy
This policy explains how returns, cancellations, refunds and food-package issues are handled under the MICEP Food Plan programme.
This Return, Cancellation & Refund Policy applies to participation in the MICEP Food Plan programme operated by MICEP Business Ventures Limited.
By joining a Food Plan, the participant confirms that they have read and understood this Policy together with the MICEP Food Plan Terms & Conditions.
1. Nature of the Food Plan
MICEP Food Plan is a structured programme through which participants make contributions towards a selected food package over an agreed period.
The intended outcome of the programme is the provision of the applicable food package upon completion and satisfaction of the programme requirements. It is not a conventional retail transaction where a participant purchases food today and subsequently decides whether to keep or return the goods.
Because the programme involves planned contributions, package allocation, payment processing, administration and eventual food fulfilment, participants should carefully consider their choice before joining.
2. Cancellation
Participants should carefully review their selected Food Plan before completing registration and payment. Once a participant has joined a Food Plan and contributions have been made, the participant should not assume that the Food Plan can be cancelled simply because they have changed their mind.
MICEP does not provide a general voluntary cancellation option merely because a participant no longer wishes to continue. However, nothing in this Policy is intended to exclude or restrict any cancellation, refund or other remedy that is required by applicable law.
3. Voluntary Change of Mind
A participant cannot demand cancellation or a cash refund merely because they have changed their mind, no longer need the food, have found another supplier, no longer want to continue, food prices have changed, their personal circumstances have changed, or they would now prefer cash instead of food.
Where applicable law does not require a refund or cancellation in such circumstances, the Food Plan remains governed by the programme terms accepted by the participant.
4. No Cash Refund as the Normal Outcome
The normal outcome of a completed Food Plan is food items, not cash.
Participants should therefore not join a Food Plan with the expectation that their contributions will later be exchanged for cash on demand.
MICEP may, entirely at its discretion and where it considers appropriate, provide a cash alternative instead of the food items. A discretionary cash alternative is not guaranteed, is not an automatic participant entitlement, may be subject to conditions, may depend on the circumstances of the Food Plan, and does not change the primary purpose of the programme.
5. Food Items Cannot Normally Be Returned After Acceptance
Food products are intended for human consumption and may be subject to hygiene, safety, storage and handling considerations.
Once food items have been collected or delivered and accepted by the participant in good condition, they cannot normally be returned simply because the participant has changed their mind or no longer wants them.
Participants are expected to inspect the package at collection or delivery and raise any genuine issue promptly.
This provision does not remove any remedy that may be available where goods are defective, unsafe, materially different from what was agreed, or where applicable law otherwise requires a remedy.
6. Damaged, Defective or Incorrect Items
If a participant receives food items that are damaged, defective, unsafe, materially incorrect or otherwise not in accordance with what was agreed, the participant should notify MICEP as soon as reasonably possible.
The participant may be required to provide photographs or videos, package or item details, delivery or collection information, transaction information, and any other reasonable evidence needed to investigate the complaint.
Where a legitimate issue is established, MICEP will determine and provide the appropriate remedy required by the circumstances and applicable law, which may include replacement, correction, refund or another appropriate resolution.
7. Shortages or Missing Items
Where a participant believes that an item is missing from a delivered or collected package, the participant should report the matter promptly. MICEP may investigate the package records and delivery or collection information.
Where the shortage is confirmed, MICEP may provide the missing item or another appropriate remedy, subject to availability and applicable law.
8. Food Item Substitution
MICEP may substitute an unavailable food item with a reasonably comparable item where necessary because of market conditions, supply shortages, product discontinuation, changes in product availability, significant price changes, logistics, regulatory requirements, or other circumstances affecting procurement.
A substitution does not automatically create a right to cancel the entire Food Plan or demand a cash refund. Where appropriate, MICEP will endeavour to provide a reasonable alternative consistent with the purpose of the Food Plan.
9. Economic and Market Changes
Participants acknowledge that the food market may change considerably between the date a Food Plan is started and the date it is completed. Examples include increases in the prices of rice, beans, vegetable oil, palm oil, sugar, salt and other food commodities.
Such changes do not automatically create a right to cancel the Food Plan or demand a cash refund. MICEP may adjust the composition of the food package where necessary to deal with availability, supply and economic conditions while continuing to fulfil the underlying purpose of the Food Plan.
10. Failure to Complete Contributions
Where a participant stops contributing or fails to meet the applicable contribution obligations, the Food Plan may remain incomplete. Applicable arrears, grace periods, fines and other programme rules may apply.
Failure to continue contributing does not automatically convert the participant's contribution history into a cash refund entitlement. Any treatment of an incomplete or discontinued Food Plan will be handled according to the applicable programme rules and applicable law.
11. Manual Payment Refunds and Payment Errors
A manual payment submitted with proof of payment may be reviewed before it is confirmed. If a payment is found to have been made in error, duplicated or otherwise requiring correction, MICEP may investigate and determine the appropriate correction or remedy.
12. Failed or Unsuccessful Online Payments
Where an online payment fails or is not successfully completed, the participant should first confirm the payment status before attempting another payment. Where a payment has been debited but the corresponding transaction is not correctly reflected, the participant should contact MICEP with the relevant payment information so that the transaction can be investigated.
13. Delivery and Collection Issues
Where a participant provides incorrect delivery information, refuses delivery, becomes unavailable, or otherwise causes a delivery attempt to fail, additional arrangements or charges may apply where permitted.
Participants are responsible for providing accurate contact and delivery information.
14. No Unauthorised Chargebacks or Payment Reversals
Participants should contact MICEP first where they believe there is a problem with a transaction. A participant must not knowingly initiate a fraudulent or unjustified chargeback, reversal or payment dispute while retaining the benefit of the transaction.
Where a legitimate payment dispute exists, the participant may use the applicable lawful dispute-resolution process. MICEP reserves the right to investigate disputed transactions and provide relevant transaction records to the appropriate payment provider or authority.
15. Fraudulent or Abusive Refund Claims
MICEP may investigate claims where there is reasonable evidence of false payment information, falsified proof, duplicate claims, deliberate misrepresentation, manipulation of transaction records, fraudulent chargebacks, or attempts to obtain both a refund and retain the benefit of the original transaction.
Where fraud or abuse is established, MICEP may take appropriate action in accordance with its Terms & Conditions and applicable law.
16. Discretionary Resolution
Nothing in this Policy prevents MICEP from voluntarily offering a reasonable resolution where it considers it appropriate. A voluntary resolution made because of the circumstances of a particular case does not automatically create a permanent entitlement or require MICEP to provide the same resolution in every future case.
17. Statutory Rights
This Policy does not remove, waive or restrict any consumer right, refund right, cancellation right, product-quality protection, safety protection or other remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under Nigerian law.
Where applicable law requires a refund, replacement, cancellation or another remedy, MICEP will comply with the applicable legal requirement.
18. How to Raise a Complaint
A participant who has a concern should contact MICEP as soon as possible and provide enough information to allow the matter to be investigated.
Relevant information may include participant name, registered phone number, Food Plan information, transaction reference, payment information, photographs or videos, delivery information, and a description of the issue.
MICEP will review legitimate complaints and communicate the appropriate resolution.
19. Acceptance
By joining a MICEP Food Plan, the participant confirms:
“I understand that MICEP Food Plan is a structured food-planning programme and that the normal outcome of the programme is the provision of food items rather than a cash refund. I understand that I should carefully consider my choice before joining. I understand that food items accepted in good condition cannot normally be returned merely because I have changed my mind. I understand that food items may be substituted where necessary because of availability, supply or economic conditions. I understand that MICEP may, at its discretion, offer a cash alternative, but I am not joining the programme with an automatic entitlement to cash. I also understand that my statutory consumer rights remain protected.”
By proceeding with registration, payment or participation, the participant confirms acceptance of this Return, Cancellation & Refund Policy.