SON: Zero Tolerance for Fake Products Paying off
Influx of inferior and sub-standard goods into the Nigerian markets either through local manufacturing or importation will soon be over as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has declared that it is winning the war against bootleggers whose stock in trade is dealing in such products.
Director General of the organisation, Dr. Joesph Odumodu declared so after a five kilometre walk against fake and inferior products in Lagos. The walk which was put together by the organisation drew participation from staff of the agency and employees of various local manufacturing companies.
Addressing the participants and the media after the walk, Odumodu explained that on assumption of office in 2011 as Director General of the SON he was quick to realise that the task facing the agency was daunting, hence the formulation of a Six Points Agenda the crux of which was an insistence on zero tolerance for inferior and sub-standard goods initiative.
He added that as part of the efforts to get the buy-in of the workforce of the organisation for his philosophy, vision and strategy, Odumodu initiated series of internal reform programme including staff re-training, agency rehabilitation and rebranding. According to him the exercise paid premium emphasis on Capacity building, Compliance monitoring, Consumer engagement, Media engagement, Global relevance and competitiveness of made in Nigeria products.
“The agency staff came off the exercise more determined than before to ensure that bootleggers do not thrive within the country’s market place. They executed several market raids with particular emphasis on industries such as the cement, iron rods, cables, tyres, phones among others. The raid revealed the alarming quantity of inferior goods in the country which underscored my understanding of the enormous challenge before the agency when I assumed office.
”It is important to understand what it entails to live in a quality society because the benefits are immeasurable. When consumers purchase products in the market there should be basic things expected of that product including: durability, safety, and value.
“There would also be a reduced number of fatal accidents if people worked with the fact that every tyre has an expiration date of four years and also, less building collapse issues if people bought standard blocks and iron rods when constructing their buildings.
Standard products naturally guarantee safety. They also last longer and provide a better living condition for citizens in a country which also improves the economy of nations.
Continuing he stressed that “It is in this same vein that SON has continued to pursue a quality culture and persisted in the creation of quality frameworks which will serve as a guideline for the implementation of quality infrastructure helpers which ultimately ensure that Nigerians are only purchase quality materials.
Odumodu further disclosed that the first Nigerian National Metrology Institute will soon be completed adding that when it is completed it will provide accurate measurements for Nigerian industries and guarantee that consumers get value, safety and fairness in any commercial transactions. This Institute will be supported by the metrology unit which has been upgraded to a department with a state of the art metrology laboratory as well as a mobile metrology laboratory for on-site calibration services.