Stakeholders lament influx of substandard goods into Nigeria…Seek return of SON to seaports

Stakeholders in the entire trade supply chain in Nigeria have lamented the seeming uncontrolled influx of fake and substandard goods into the country, saying this is dangerous and injurious to the local industry, especially at a time the Federal Government is making efforts towards diversifying the economy from over- dependence on crude oil revenue.
The stakeholders have also argued that the continued absence of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON, the country’s apex standards bureau from the seaports and other entry points has further exacerbated the influx of these unwholesome products, a development that urgently requires that the organisation returns to the seaports to curb this menace.
Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation forum with the theme: “Standards Save life, grow Economy”, organised by SON in Lagos, Thursday, National Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Dr Kayode Farinto, one of the stakeholders while delivering a paper entitled: “Juxtaposing the absence of SON from the seaports and the worsening influx of substandard products”, noted that it was necessary the agency returned to the seaports immediately.
He noted that the volume of substandard goods that flood the country’s market, has become increasingly dangerous and unsustainable which apart from weakening the local manufacturing industry, also poses a great danger to the citizens and the country’s economy.
Citing the instances of substandard building materials including electrical wires and other components, which have led to outbreak of fire in homes and offices, leading to the death and maiming of scores of Nigerians, he warned that if the country does not kill substandard products, such products will definitely kill Nigeria.
According to him, SON has over the years made efforts to standardise products imported into the country, which also led to the introduction of the Standards Conformity Assessment SONCAP certificate, which is a mandatory offshore document obtained from all major countries where Nigeria imports across Europe, America and Asia.
According to him, based on the expectation that most of the trading public in the country would comply with the SONCAP requirement and the need to streamline the number of government agencies operating at the seaports to enhance speedy inspection and release of imported cargo that the then Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo –Iweala ordered some agencies including SON to leave the seaports.
He however argued that the worsening spate of influx of substandard goods into the country reinforces the argument that the government should review the policy that removed the agency from the seaports and major entry points if Nigeria must win this war against fake and substandard products imported into the country.
“SON was asked to leave the seaports due to the erroneous belief that it would enhance speed and efficiency in the inspection and release of cargo but current realities have shown that that belief was not true and needs a review. Therefore, if Nigeria must win this war against substandard products, SON must as a matter of urgency return to the seaports to enforce government’s control. SON should also be on the portal of the Nigeria Customs Service”, he argued.
He however warned that when SON returns to the seaport, it should not allow its operatives to seize and confiscate consignments have been duly examined, cleared and released about 50 metres from the main seaport gates.
Meanwhile, Director General of the organisation, Mallam Farouk Salim in his welcome remarks, warned Nigerian importers against continued import of fake and substandard products into the country, insisting that Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria and that it would take the efforts and resolve of the citizens to address these challenges.
He observed that despite the fact that most of the blames for the current state of Nigeria have been placed at the door-step of politicians, many Nigerians in their small ways have contributed to the socio-economic and political woes of the country and that it would take collective efforts to rid the country of these woes.
Citing the rising spate of insecurity and other violent crimes, the DG insisted that most of the challenges the country is facing today is as a result of things many Nigerians did not do right when they had the opportunity.
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