SON Seizes N22.7bn Substandard Products in One Year
*Tasks customs agents, freight forwarders to educate their importers
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) Thursday said it has seized substandard products worth N22.7bn in the past one year.
The Director-General of SON, Osita Aboloma disclosed this during a Stakeholders’ Awareness Forum held in Lagos.
Aboloma identified some of the products seized by the organization as tyres, electric cables, LPG cylinders, lubricants, communication cables and unfortified sugar.
He said during the awareness forum under the theme “Collaboration as a tool for zero substandard imports”, that Nigeria’s economy and indeed the lives of many were in danger as a result of the importation of substandard products.
The DG who was represented on the occasion by a Director in SON, Mr. Mohammed Kabir urged importers to do the right thing for the interest of the national economy.
He said it was not in the interest of the economy and individuals that importers would be bringing in substandard products or even exporting substandard products that end up being seized.
Aboloma urged importers and exporters to always study the processes and procedures to avoid losing their goods.
He also called on freight forwarders and customs agents to educate their importers on the dangers of substandard imports and exports, adding that there was the need to collaborate with SON to end the menace in products imports and exports.
Aboloma said, “ Collaboration is the key to success since SON cannot achieve the goal of zero importation of substandard products alone. I therefore implore you to join us to sensitize and educate all importers and the public on the importance of quality goods and products as well as the dangers associated with substandard and life-endangering products.
“The works of standardization, quality assurance as well as campaign against the menace of substandard products remains a collaborative and partnership endeavour among SON and its stakeholders. Suffice to state that over 80 percent of products that enter into Nigeria daily, monthly or yearly are via the nation’s seaports and waterways. It is therefore critical to collaborate with the maritime sector operators in the quest for zero import of substandard and unwholesome products as well as the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB) policy.
“Therefore, continuous engagement with sectoral operators and stakeholders would help SON to carry everybody along in the zero tolerance to substandard, fake and counterfeit products campaign.
“This workshop’s objectives include, providing a veritable avenue for cross-fertilization of ideas, views, suggestions and solutions on how to move the nation’s maritime sector forward, especially in furtherance of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy relative to electronic clearance, destination inspection and the on-going repositioning of the nation’s ports.
“We need to disabuse the minds of those who think that SON is out to shut down their businesses by insisting on the enforcement of quality and standards requirements. We are only protecting compliant businesses and Nigerians at large from the hazards associated with substandard products. This is our key mandate and primary responsibility”.
Aboloma also disclosed that the organization has been having some challenges in the ports as its Compliance units are only invited for examination when the Customs Service finds it necessary.
About Post Author
