SON MOVES TO STOP SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS AS MINISTER LAMENTS ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) in partnership with other government Agencies have taken pro-active steps to arrest the scourge of substandard Imported products as well as those manufactured in the Country. The SON with its partners have moved into major markets in the Country to establish control mechanism that will help in monitoring of such goods. Minister of Trade and Investments Dr Olusegun Aganga in reaction to the move has called on importers and Local manufacturers to desist from importation or manufacturing of goods with low quality saying that apart from giving the Country poor image it does great dangers to the National economy. Aganga who was speaking at the Market commissioning of the first SON/CPC Market Desk at the famous Alaba International Lagos stated that the initiative was one among various moves by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to drive home the Zero tolerance to substandard products. The Minister stated that the dangers associated with substandard products in our markets are enormous, ranging from economic loss, avoidable loss of lives and property to negative perception of our Nation as well as compromise of its security. The initiative which is a collaborative effort between the Ministry, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) on the one hand and the leaders of the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN) and General Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA) on the other hand according to Aganga will help in addressing the issue of substandard products in the market. He added that the objectives of the Desk which is to be replicated in all major markets nationwide include but are not limited to;Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the two regulatory agencies in discharging their statutory responsibilities of ridding our markets of substandard products and protecting the consumers,Guiding consumers in the purchase of quality products Collating data on products performance in the markets,Receiving complaints from Consumers on substandard, faked and counterfeit products in the market and Serving as interface between the agencies and the leaderships of the Market associations in information sharing and exchange. ‘I wish to state that these objectives are laudable and achievable in line with the SON new policy thrust of “zero tolerance to substandard products” the Minister stressed adding that ‘They are also in tune with the transformational agenda of the government which places emphasis on public private partnership, providing conducive and enabling environment for private investment to thrive, deepening trade, increasing productivity of local industries, encouraging foreign investment, focusing on the growth of small, medium enterprises (SMEs) and industrial cluster sectors as well as strengthening the purchasing capacity of the average Nigerian consumer’. He therefore commended the SON and CPC for the bold initiative which he said requires sincere commitment to achieve its stated objectives. According to him the substantial reduction in the level of substandard products in our markets will have direct bearings on capacity utilization, employment generation and purchasing capacity as well as local and foreign investment. Speaking further he said the idea of deepening trade as part of the transformational agenda may be unachievable without such initiatives as removing substandard goods from our markets, which on the other hand will assist in strengthening purchasing capacity by reducing the waste and lack of value for money associated with the distribution and purchase of substandard products. He challenged the sense of nationalism and patriotism of the Leaders of the Alaba International market associations and their entire membership, as well other major markets all over the Nation to demonstrate transparency in this collaboration with SON and CPC for the overall good of the Nation and its people.