Fake products seizure loss to perpetrators, Nigeria, SON tells importers, manufacturers

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has said that the seizure and confiscation of fake and substandard products valued at several billions of naira across the country represents a significant loss not only for the perpetrators, but also for the Nigerian economy as a whole.

This was made known on Thursday during a one-day sensitisation workshop for importers and manufacturers in Nnewi, the commercial hub of Anambra State, aimed at tackling the influx of substandard products in Nigeria.

The programme, themed, “SON requirements and compliance monitoring activities to curb influx and sale of substandard products in the country”.

Speaking at the event, the Director General, SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, disclosed that the public sensitisation is highly appropriate, aligning with the current efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s drive to revitalise the nation’s economy.

Okeke, who was represented by the Director of Public Relations, Foluso Bolaji, added that the objective of the ongoing nationwide stakeholders sensitisation programme is not only to educate operators on the provisions of the SON Act No. 14 of 2015, but also to enhance stakeholders engagement and foster strong collaborations.

He said, “This engagement aims to challenge all stakeholders in Anambra State and environs on the need to follow the right processes for mutual business growth and public safety, as well as promote synergy between both parties to achieve collective goals.

“The SON Act enacted into law by the Seventh National Assembly, serves as a crucial framework that guides and empowers the operations and processes of the organisation in fulfilling its mandate to rid the Nigerian Market of substandard products and improve life through standardisation and quality assurance.

“The essence of standardisation is to support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, promote the agro-allied sector, safeguard lives and property, and drive industrial and economic development.

“The seizure and confiscation of fake and substandard products valued at several billions of naira across the country represents a significant loss not only for the perpetrators, but also for the Nigerian economy as a whole, maintaining that all products manufactured in Nigeria must be certified to the Nigerian Industrial Standard through the agency’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme for local made Products and the SON Offshore Conformity Assessment Programme for imported products.”

He, however, mentioned that SON has internationally accredited firms with extensive expertise in quality assurance that supports exports and importers in complying with the SON Conformity Assessment Program in Nigeria.

The Director of the Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate, Mr. Pius Lawan, during his presentation, noted that fighting against substandard products is like fighting crimes, saying that it is a responsibility of everybody to fight against the substandard products.

Lawan said that the objective of Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate include enforcement of standards for products and services as well as to create awareness on all SON activities and related issues.

He further highlighted some of the activities of SON as follows; Warehouses Surveillance, Resolution of Referred Cases from Ports and Borders, Consumers Compliance Resolution, Test Purchases (Trap Buy of Products), Ratification of Products, Seizure Evacuation and Destructions of Substandard Products amongst other.

The President of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association in Nnewi, Mr. Augustine Jideofor, in his good will message eulogised SON for bringing the sensitisation in Nnewi.

He explained that the sensitisation afforded his members the opportunity to interact with SON as well as present their challenges to the agency, describing the workshop as a real interaction session.

Also a participant, Mr. Chinedu Ani said it was a wonderful sensitisation, saying it would go a long way to address the issues of irregularities and counterfeit Products in the Market.

Other participants who commended the SON workshop include; FidelBen Autor spare parts represented by Mrs Njideka, and Mr. David Ugwuezumba.