SON blames non-involvement in port operations for influx of substandard products

Following the increasing number of substandard goods coming into the country through the nation’s seaports, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has attributed the growth in volume of such imports to non-involvement of its officers in ports operations.

Speaking in Lagos recently during a one-day Maritime Stakeholders Sensitization Workshop organised by the SON with the theme: ‘Facilitating Trade Through SON Automated Services,’ Osita Aboloma, director general of SON, said the absence of the organisation at the port has continued to pose challenges particularly to the agency’s compliance and monitoring units.

According to him, it is easier to fight the influx of substandard products at the points of entry than chasing them around all over the country in markets, warehouses and other places.

He charged importers to desist from importing substandard products capable of damaging and killing Nigerians.

Aboloma, who was represented by Obiora Manafa, director, Inspector and Compliance Directorate (ICD), also stated that SON is not happy destroying people’s products.

“SON is not out to get importers. We are only interested in safeguarding lives and properties of Nigerians. Importers should endeavour to apply for their SONCAP certificate before the arrival of their products in Nigeria,” he said.

He however stated that SON recently upgraded its Portal for the operations of SONCAP in order to enhance service delivery, promote quicker turnaround time and reduce human interaction to the barest minimum.

“Our Portal has been running seamlessly since then. Only those who fail to adhere to our offshore Conformity Assessment Program and documentation would have reasons to complain. Our application and approval processes for SONCAP is seamless,” Aboloma added.

While urging all importers to process their SONCAP or Import Permit along their pre-shipment processes, he said that such will enable them to avoid a situation where products arrive the shores of Nigeria without SONCAP Certificates or Import Permits.

Tony Iju Nwabunike, president of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), stated that Customs brokers and freight forwarders operating in the nation’s port industry have lost over N20 billion to the influx of fake products that does not meet up with the Nigeria Industrial Standard for imported products.

According to him, in addition to being injurious to the national economy, the importation of these illicit products, also spell doom for Nigerian citizens.

He further stated that his association has taken it upon itself to educate importers on the need to comply with standards in order to safeguard lives and avoid losses emanating from seizures and destruction of fake and substandard goods.

“Over time, Customs brokers have been victims of substandard importations by importers who in some cases fail to disclose to us the actual content or degree of compliance with extant rules like SONCAP,” he said.

Nwabunike assured that agents would not relent because, most of them have been victims of such importation for undertaking to clear substandard goods.