SON raids warehouses in Imo, confiscates substandard roofing sheets worth N500m

In continuation of its fight against manufacturing and marketing of substandard roofing sheets in the country, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), at the weekend, raided warehouses in Imo State where they confiscated galvanised roofing sheets and aluminium coils worth about N500 million.
The warehouses are located Owerri, the state capital, and Okigwe, a major town in the state.
Osita Aboloma, director-general of SON, explained that on the spot tests on the seized materials showed that they did not meet the requirements of the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS).

The warehouses, according to SON, are operated by Prossy Nigeria Limited.
The DG, who was represented during the raid by Dele Omolawon, the enforcement team leader, said the confiscated galvanised roofing sheets were low gauges and failed to meet the minimum value standard prescribed in the NIS.
Similarly at Okigwe, the impounded coils used for the manufacturing of galvanised roofing sheets showed a non-conformance and fell below minimum requirements.
Omolawon reiterated the SON chief executive’s resolve to rid the nation of substandard products with its focus presently on roofing sheets sector due to safety concerns and economic losses being experienced by unsuspecting consumers of the products, who have been inundating SON with myriads of complaints.

The team leader restated that the exercise was part of a nationwide surveillance programme to locate and mop up substandard roofing sheets to ensure that only good quality roofing sheets that meet the minimum requirements of the NIS are displayed in the open markets or stocked in warehouses.
“SON wishes that Nigerian consumers can confidently walk into an outlet, warehouse or stockist to purchase roofing sheets knowing that he will get good quality and value for money that would not put their lives and properties at risk,” he said.
He, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to seek expert advice when purchasing roofing sheets or visit the nearest SON office in the 36 states of the federation for advice.

He also advised importers and manufacturers to adhere strictly to the standards to avoid products confiscation, destruction and possible prosecution.
On the sealed warehouses and products put on hold, Omolawon stated that further investigation and testing were to be carried out following which the management would give further directives.
Substandard products, he said, were subject to evacuation, destruction and prosecution of offenders in line with the SON Act 14 of 2015.