Stop Using Unauthorised Logo, SON Warns Importers
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has frowned at the use of unauthorized logo by some importers, saying this was deliberate to deceive Nigerians to sell their goods in the country.
The Director General, SON, Dr. Osita Aboloma expressed dismay about this development during a sensitisation workshop held at the International Market Association Electronics (IMAE) Alaba.
He warned that importers who do not stop the practice will be prosecuted.
The DG who was represented at the event by Director in-Charge SON Lagos, Kabir Mohammed, said the organization will do everything to stop the importers from such acts.
He also called on electronic dealers to align with bringing in goods as Completely Knock Downs (CKDs) and Semi Knock Downs (SKDs) for assembling and branding.
According to him, “You are belabouring yourselves for promoting and selling another man’s products for over four decades.
“It is about time you owned your brand and we have the standard to support you.
“Coming to Alaba is to bring standards to the door step of the trader and importer and you know of course that people come to this market from all parts of the country as well as other African countries to buy products and complain.
“The best thing to do is to come to enlighten them on how to apply standard to boost trade.
“It only when they do the right thing that the sector will impact on the nation’s economy through wealth creation and employment opportunities.”
Aboloma also urged traders in the market, including their associations to be self regulating by ensuring that substandard goods are not imported into the country.
He said, “The reason for establishing this team is to advise and guide them on the standards applicable.
“We want them to know what the standards in Nigeria are and what is also obtainable in other climes so working together, they will know the right way to do things,”
The Director, Inspectorate, Compliance and Directorate, SON, Engr. Obiora Manafa, explained that the workshop was a strategy by SON to promote self regulation.
He said, “We are also telling them that it is good for them to create their own brands instead of faking successful brands.”
“We are here to sensitise the traders to do the right thing by importing only products that comply with the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
“From our experience, we have observed that most of them import substandard products where many of them fail market requirements in the sense that they bring in the goods unbranded with the intention of faking.”
Similarly, Head, Ports and Borders, SON, Yahya Bukar lamented that the challenge being faced by SON was check influx of substandard goods into the country.
He said that though SON was connected to the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) view documents on the platform, but could not examine containers except on invitation by the Customs.
He said, “We sometimes view a document, but the information of the document is different from what we have in the container, most of the times it is difficult to judge whether these goods meet our requirements since we do not have access to these containers and we cannot be able to verify the declaration.”
“We also face another challenge where some clearing agents try to connive with the importers to circumvent the laws.
“We expect these clearing agents to be the ones to explain things better to these importers”.
The Chairman, Alaba Electronics, Mr. Paulinus Ugochukwu, was full of commentation for SON organising the workshop.
“We already have a Joint Task Force comprising members of SON management and our members to ensure that substandard goods do not thrive in the nation’s market.
“Henceforth, anywhere they see substandard products they seize it”.
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