As part of measures to rid Nigeria of substandard products, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sued for synergy between the agency and stakeholders to fine-tune ways of fighting substandard products and developing the economy.
Osita Obaloma, director-general, SON, stated Tuesday that SON was committed to collaborations, capacity building and improving infrastructure as part of strategy for satisfactory service delivery that meets the expectation of consumers, manufacturers, importers and traders at local and international levels.
Obaloma requested collective support towards improving the living standards of Nigerians by effective and efficient provision of increased access to standard quantity and safe products to consumers.
In her remarks, Easter Okon, Kwara State, coordinator of SON, called on Nigerians to reject from substandard products and focus on doing things right.
According to Okon, the problem of fake products in Nigeria market has caused so much harm in our society.
While expressing the need for proactive measures, she said: “We are creating awareness among stakeholders on the ills of substandard products.
“So far, it has created a very huge gap in the economy, making it impossible for us to actually meet up with the global standard products.
“We have lost lives and properties, lots of waste among others.
“To the manufacturers, right now, SON stands for zero tolerance to substandard products. We are going to take the fight to everywhere. We have done enlightenment and awareness, so, every Nigerian is expected to play the game right.”
Speaking on the next line of action, she said “after this, we are going to embark on serious enforcement, we will look at all sectors and as well as limit ourselves to each sector.
“The reason why textile industry is no more is due to substandard products. We all allowed our country to be flooded with lots of fake products, so, we are not going to allow it any more,” she said.
Popoola Ayobami, who presented a paper titled, ‘Substandard Products: Identification, Effects and Solutions’, said SON set standard for production, products certification, capacity building, consumer complaints for economic development and business growth.
Nigeria spends N50 billion every year on substandard products, which are actually affecting our economy, he disclosed.
While encouraging manufacturers to always produce quality for consumers and for their businesses to be able to compete favourably in the market, he said it can minimise waste, increase productivity, guide production and sales, while guaranteeing safety of the products as well as ensuring a healthy nation.
