AfCFTA: SON Harps On Intelligence Gathering Among Stakeholders To Curb Sub Standard Imports

By Roland Ekama,Lagos

 Ahead of the commencement of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA),the Standard Organization of Nigerian (SON) on Wednesday, harped on intelligence gathering  and information sharing among stakeholders in port operations in curbing  importation of fake and sub standards goods into the country.

 The Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Osita Aboloma who made the plea noted that the regulatory agency is ready to tackle issues of fake and substandard products coming into Nigeria, despite government approval African Continental Free Trade Agreement, ACFTA,

 According to him, SON has its mark of certification on goods manufactured in Nigeria, as well as those imported into the country. As such,  can trace every product suspected to be substandard to the manufacturer, or origin.

The Director General who was represented by Enebi Onuchego, Deputy Director, inspectorate and Compliance of SON, during an interactive session with newsmen, also called on maritime journalists and stakeholders to help avail the agency  with information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of importers of substandard products into the country.

 He  said this was necessary to nip in  the bud the  incessant influx of adulterated and expired products into the country which he said was inimical to the development of the nation.

The SON DG  noted that many substandard products come into the country through the sea ports due to its absence at the port.He therefore called on journalists and stakeholders to help create awareness for its return.

He said, “Whenever we see anything that is not good we should complain but how many of us complain? Nobody, people will say even though you complain nobody will do anything, that is a wrong mentality.

“In SON, we have customer feedback and collaboration desk; you can go to Consumer Protection Agency. Wherever you choose to take your complaints, it will be taken up provided there is proof or evidence from where you got it from and justice will be done to it bit if you don’t complain, we won’t know.

“All of us here, our hands should be on desk to give us information, if you see something, say something.

 He also said that SON is working assiduously to curtail influx of fake products into the country, in order  to prevent people from consuming such dangerous goods.