SON takes enlightenment campaign to Alaba international market *As group urges FG, Customs to open land borders

SON takes enlightenment campaign to Alaba international market

*As group urges FG, Customs to open land borders

By Udeme Clement

In a bid to stem influx of fake and substandard products into Nigeria, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON,
has taken its enlightenment campaign to Alaba International Market, Lagos.

Addressing members of Electronics section, Alaba International market, the Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, SON, Engineer Obiora Manafa tasked the Association on internal regulation.

He advised importers under the section of Electronics in the market to ensure self regulation, by bringing in only goods with appropriate standards as required by law.

Speaking further, Engineer Manafa warmed against bringing in unbranded products, which fail market requirements on specified standards.

He advised local importers on the need to look inward and start producing such items locally with the right standards, in order to create more jobs for Nigerians.

Manafa stressed the urgent need for SON to be in the seaports.
This, he said will prevent substandard goods from entering the local markets through seaports.

His assertion, “We need officials of SON at our seaports. The reality is that substandard products get into the market because SON is not at the ports now.
SON is only invited for inspection in the ports but not fully on ground to ensure that such substandard products are not allowed to past through the Seaports”

In his remarks, the Chairman in charge of Electronics section, Mr. Paulinus Ugochukwu gave assurance that the Association under his watch is working tirelessly in making members comply with SON’s standards.

He called on the Federal Government and Customs management to re-open the land borders, in order to encourage legitimate traders in carrying out their businesses smoothly.

According to him, “There are legitimate business men, as well as women doing transactions with countries in the West African sub-region.

Therefore, continuous closure of the borders is taking its toll on such businesses.

To him, border closure has also reduced their income-flow by cutting off transactions with companies in the sub-region.

Also speaking, a Director in DG’s office, Kabiru Mohammed, said the enlightenment programme is a continuous exercise designed to sensitise traders on dangers associated with substandard products, especially electronics.

He said, “Self regulation is important and will ensure that sub-standard goods are not imported into the local markets.’

“We want members of this Association to create their own brands. They should ensure that their brands meet market requirements and appropriate standards.