By Merit Ibe
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged Nigerian consumers to always patronise made-in-Nigeria products, noting that the move would help to combat the influx of fake and substandard goods into the country.
The Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, at a sensitisation exercise themed “Zero Tolerance for substandard products” said one of the factors responsible for the thriving market of substandard goods is the consumers’ penchant for imported goods.
According to him, local industries have the capacity to meet the nation’s needs, urging Nigerian consumers to always insist on only quality made-in-Nigeria products.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protect local industries, saying that they are veritable tools for providing job opportunities and creating wealth for the country.
“The local industry is essentially the heart of the nation and we are the heart of the industry and if the industry is doing well, Nigeria will be doing well.”
“We lament a lot about the depreciation of our currency. If our industries are doing very well, our currency will not fall and if we base our income on one commodity, even the industry will not survive, because the naira will keep going down while the dollar will keep rising,” he said.
He said the objective of the stakeholders’ forum was to reaffirm SON’s zero tolerance for substandard products in the country.
“It is a life and death issue for our nation. It is a life and death issue for the industry. Every industrialist here, understands what substandard goods do to their business and their bottom line.”
The SON boss said he is looking forward to a much stronger partnership with local industries in its fight to rid Nigeria of unwholesome goods with no economic value.
President of Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CAMAN), Mrs. Bukola Adubi, said SON’s relationship with CAMAN has been cordial, commending SON for the great work in their fight against substandard products in the country.
She stated that Nigeria’s cable is one of the best cable in the world a feat she said would not be possible without SON’s support for local industries. She pledged CAMAN’s support to SON in the fight against substandard products in the country while also reassuring the association’s commitment to produce goods that meets the minimum requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS).
On his part, the Assistant Director, Membership service, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Joseph Emoleke, said members and staff of MAN hold the Director General of SON in high esteem for his diligence and efforts in eradicating substandard products in the country.
“Manufacturers are willing to work with SON. On our part, we have delisted members we found wanting. Many manufacturers out there are hesitant to join us because of our high standards,” he said.
Mrs Chinyere Egwuonwu, keynote speaker at the event said the economy would improve greatly, once sub-standard products are totally removed in Nigeria.
She listed products such as tyres, television sets and others among the sub-standard products in the country, stressing that they made their way into the country through open borders.
According to her, the menace is having grave consequences on the nation’s economy, especially affecting the labour sector
“ Due to inability of many people to adequately get jobs has resulted to increase of criminal activities in the country.
She opined that locally made goods and services would record growth, once they are patronized by the people.
The over 720 participants that attended the workshop were chief executive officers, captains of industries and MSMEs.
