Substandard Imports: We Shall Ensure SON Returns to Ports, Says Senate Committee
By Francis Ugwoke
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Bayo Osinowo has said that his Committee will ensure that operatives of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) returns to the nation’s seaports.
SON was among some other agencies that will driven away from the ports and asked to be invited when the need arises.
But over the years, the organization has complained of lack of cooperation from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Osinowo however said that owning to the strategic importance of SON in checking influx of substandard goods, its operatives were needed at the ports.
He said the return of SON will assist so that such goods are stopped at the port level before they enter the markets.
Speaking during a visit to SON’s laboratory complex in Ogba, members of the Committee agreed there was the need for the organization to be at the ports.
According to Osinowo “It is unfortunate that SON is not at the port. When we established SON, it was to monitor all standards of products produced and imported into the country.
“When we found out that SON was not at the ports, we decided to address this by looking into it and amending it because there must be an office for them at the ports to carry out their mandate effectively.”
The Director General of SON, Dr. Osita Aboloma, had lamented the influx of substandard goods into the country, saying the only way out was for the agency to return to the ports to address the problem squarely.
Aboloma who spoke during a sensitisation programme for maritime stakeholders explained that it was only when the agency is in the ports that it would be able to effectively curtail such substandard imports into the country.
According to him, it was better to wait for such substandard goods at the points of entry, the seaports, instead of chasing them all over the places in Nigeria.
He said, “It is important to note that non-involvement of SON at some Ports in the country’s operations has continued to pose challenges particularly to the agency’s compliance and monitoring units. It is easier to fight the influx of substandard products at the points of entry than chasing them around all over the country in markets, warehouses, etc.”
Aboloma who was represented by the Director of Operation and Compliance, Engr. Obiora Manafa, said over 75 per cent of the products imported into Nigeria daily, monthly or yearly come via the seaports and waterways.
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