As part of its efforts to ensure that only goods that meet the minimum requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) are paraded in the Nigerian market, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has destroyed over N500 million worth of substandard goods in the country.
The agency’s Director General, Dr. Joesph Odumodu maintained that some irresponsible citizens of Nigeria were frustrating the efforts made by the organization to ensure zero tolerance of substandard goods in the country.
Represented by the Head of Inspectorate and Compliance, SON, Mr. Bede Obayi, during the destruction of the substandard goods at its dumpsite in Shagamu, Ogun State, the DG said the action was meant to serve as a deterrent to importers of sub-standard goods in Nigeria.
He said, “The total value of these substandard goods is over N500 million and this is not the first time we are destroying this year because since January to December, we have destroyed over N5billion worth of substandard goods in this country.
“If they do not rest, we will also not rest, we will continue to fight this act until we rid this country off substandard products.
“We are also going to intensify our effort to ensure that these products do not find their way into the Nigeria market and also warned importers to desist from the act.You all a aware that these goods are imported by people who do not mean well for the country.
“We have told them that if they must bring in goods, it must be goods that meet the minimum requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) that will give consumers value for their hard earned money.”
The destroyed sub-standard products ranged from electric armored cables, tyres, expired supermarket breakfast cereals, extension sockets, mini led flashlights, rechargeable lamps, shaving sticks, mobile phones, stabilisers, engine oil to ball pens.
“We are destroying this huge volume of goods but creating jobs for people overseas because by the time we destroy these goods, we get nothing but economic loss. We are not happy destroying these products but if we can save the life of one Nigerian by burning these products, we have done something for this country and this is exactly the core mandate of our agency by showing zero tolerance for substandard goods in this country,” he added.
Meanwhile, he reinstated the resolve of the present administration to maintain the zero tolerance policy to sub standard goods.
He said, “These goods were destroyed to save the lives of Nigerians who are not aware of the harmful effect of these products. So many people have lost their loved ones by consuming these substandard products.
“Today’s exercise is therefore the culmination of a rigorous process to ascertain the quality of each product with the sole objective of improving lives through standards by protecting all of us as Consumers against the hazards associated with the distribution, purchase and use of substandard products, including loss of lives and properties as well as economic sabotage among others,” the SON official declared.
“We shall ensure that only appropriately certified products are in circulation in Nigerian markets. In 2014, we want to work to surpass our target of reducing the penetration of the substandard products into our country.We want to join hands with the President to reduce the rate of unemployment, as President Goodlcuk Jonathan is concerned and is exploring all mechanism to create jobs especially for our youths,” he added.
