SON lauds FOU Customs on seizure of substandard LPG cylinders …Says fake LPG cylinders are time bombs …FOU intercepts killer items in 40ft container

SON lauds FOU Customs on seizure of substandard LPG cylinders

.Says fake LPG cylinders are time bombs

.FOU intercepts killer items in 40ft container

.Suspicious items have fictitious import documents  

By Udeme Clement & Francis Chidiebere

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has commended the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for its vigilance in seizing and handing over a 40feet container loaded with substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, cylinders imported into the country with fictitious documents.

The Chief State prosecutor of SON, Mr. Babatunde Aajogun, who received the substandard cylinders on behalf of the Director General of SON, expressed great pleasure to FOU Zone ‘A’ and the entire Customs management for the outstanding seizure, stressed that substandard LPG cylinders are classified as life danger products.

In the same vein, the Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Engineer Bede Obayi, disclosed that the company, which imported the seized LPG cylinders has been identified as ‘CramoHill Nigeria limited’.

Obayi further disclosed that the initial investigation carried out revealed that the address provided on the import documents of the LPG cylinders is non-existent and fictitious as well.

He warned, “Importers bringing these sensitive items into Nigeria must adhere strictly to the procedures of importing LPG cylinders. This is very important because substandard LPG cylinders are like time bombs capable of killing innocent people.  SON is working tirelessly in curtailing importation of substandard LPG cylinders and other life endangering products into the country.”

“My appeal is that people should not patronise fairly used LPG cylinders because they are mostly expired, they have negative risk and can kill the users. To identify good LPG cylinders, the users should check SON’s Logo as well as the unique serial number displayed on them for traceability, in case of anything.

While handing over the seized LPG cylinders, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, of FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, revealed that seizing the items became imperative, as the importer violated Customs procedure through false declaration and tried to shortchange government.

Comptroller Uba explained, “Handing over the seized LPG cylinders is in line with the existing working synergy between Customs and SON. This is not the first time the Service is releasing suspicious containers to SON, under its purview for further investigations.

“Our decision is in line with the policy of the Federal Government on inter-agency collaboration. The aim is to promote ease of doing business and to protect Nigerian consumers from offensive items”.

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