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The Senate Committee on Industry has criticised the absence of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at seaports, stressing that this is not in line with global best practices.
According to the law makers, the directive ordering SON out of the port is a violation of the Act establishing the standards body, stressing that the law specifies SON to be at the points of entry to monitor goods coming into the shores of the country.
Sam Egwu, chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, stated this during an oversight function to SON offices and laboratories in Lagos.
“Their absence at the ports accounts for the influx of substandard goods into the country. The agency that has the duty to check against the influx of these goods is not allowed to operate at the ports. We feel this is an aberration. It is not right; it is also against the law and we are going to take it up.
“I am sure the appropriate authority of the highest level might not be aware of this. SON is vital to safeguarding the nation from these substandard goods. Take for example, tyres today, we have so many fake tyres plying the Nigerian roads and this is one of the reasons why we have so many accidents on our roads because these products enter our markets without proper monitoring.”
He rated the agency high for the judicious use of its 2017 budgetary allocation, stating that the commendation was a call to duty for SON not to relent on its efforts in its quest to sanitise the Nigerian markets.
“We have seen other laboratories in China, Kenya and Tanzania. I think what we are seeing here is something we are proud of. The state-of-the-art laboratories being installed here are commendable,” he added.
Jibrin Barau, member of committee, said the Senate would do everything possible to enable SON discharge its responsibility.
Barau said the impact of SON would be vital for the growth of the country’s local industries.
“Undue advantages give fake products edge over quality products and it is a very serious matter where only a body like SON can help to address. I think they are doing well. I am happy that they are getting facilities to make them operational and more effective in the country.
“It is really surprising to see that SON is absent at the ports in view of the functions they undertake in the laws establishing the agency. It is clear that their absence is against international best practices and no country allows it borders to be open to all sorts of goods without checking them.”
Earlier, Osita Aboloma, director general, SON, had expressed his gratitude to the committee, pointing out that SON has made steady progress over the years under the leadership of the committee.
“I am also proud to tell the world that the issue of possession and co-ownership of the building where our operational office in Lekki is situated has been resolved in favour of SON due to your able leadership,” Aboloma said.
The Senate Committee were taken to SON’s one-stop office in Apapa and its multi-billion laboratory complex in Ogba, expected to have about 38 laboratories dedicated for testing life endangering items and food.
“We are ready to take up the challenges that come with standardisation and quality assurance. We have capacity for infinite possibilities. Our laboratories are state-of-the-art; our personnel are world class and competitive with other global standards bodies. We still need your continuous guidance and support for us to stand out among other regulatory agencies,” Aboloma assured.
