SON DG urges Nigerians to stop patronizing substandard products

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

The Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria(SON), Mr Farouk Salim, on Wednesday advised Nigerians to kick against importation and sale of substandard products in the country.

Salim gave the advice during a one-day sensitisation programme organised by SON in Port Harcourt to mark its 50 years of existence as well as ranking as first in ease of doing business in Port Harcourt.

The DG said that the sensitisation programme which harps on “Son Activities and Mandate” was to ensure that the public stopped patronizing both anufacturers and importers of substandard products to save lives in the country.

Salim stressed that one of the challenges facing the country is the issue of importing and producing fake and substandard products.

While noting that some of the products are cheap and fake, hence individuals and stakeholders must collaborate with SON and give information to the public.

“One of the biggest problems is that both the highly educated and non educated are also patronising these fake products for their desired interest.

“Individuals or importers bringing in substandard products are criminal minded without considering the damage been done to our country.

“We are doing everything possible to address the issues and also ensure that our jobs are very efficient, we created nine directorates for people to get information without going to the headquarters.

“Real standard goods that are in the market people are not buying them, which means if the factories should be closed, more than 10,000 people will loose their jobs.

“And this may bring hardship,crime, banditry and terrorism and other that will affect our jobs, and lack of job reduces or tax revenue,” he said.

He called on the public to report any one producing substandard products in the country to the nearest police station, or report through the online means, or phone calls to enable the agency to intervene.

Mrs Stella Ngboke, the Commander of National Agency for Prohibition In Trafficking In Person (NAPTIP), who is also the Area Commander , Nigeria Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in Onne Port, stated that the agency will collaborate with SON, on the need for standardization which the orgaisation stands for.

Ngboke commends the management of SON for organising the programme to sensitize the public on the activities of the organisation and the need for people to understand the mandate of SON.

She expressed concern that SON has a huge task on its hands because of proliferation of substandard goods being sold by people who want to cut to make profit in the country.

She stated that when SON gets it right, lives are saved, economy improves, made in Nigeria goods will also be recognized in the country.

Eng.Samuel Ayuba, the State Coordinator of SON in Rivers, said that the attendance on the sensitization programme was a huge success.

Ayuba stated that the importance of the sensitisation programme could not be over emphasized.

“The programme draw attention of stakeholders in the state to ensure they join in the sensitization against substandard products in the country,” he said.

He urged every Nigerian to read through the instructions on any products, saying they should not allow the importers of substandard products to sell their products inn the country.

He also warned Nigerians against buying products from online sites that cannot be traced.

Ayuba also warned manufactures and importers of substandard goods to stop or face prosecution as SON has been galvanized to track them down to face the full weight of the law.