SON: Fake products danger to economy

The Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Osita Aboloma,  has called on Nigerians to reject substandard products because they constitute danger to the economy.According to a statement from the SON Public Relations Office, Aboloma made the call when some members of the Steel Manufacturers Group paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos.
Aboloma said his mission at SON was to ensure compliance to standards, safety and quality of products.
He said it was expected that all businesses in Nigeria must conform to the tenets of standards.
“The diversification to non-oil is a fulcrum for industries to strive to be at their best as the nation will depend more on the manufacturing sector for the economy to boom.
Government policies are meant to protect local manufacturers from unhealthy competition to ensure sustainable development.
The director-general urged the rroup to embrace the change message by doing the right things at all times and to also comply with SON standards.
One of the organisation’s goals is to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria without compromising standards.
Though the SON 2015 Act gives it adequate powers to enforce standards, there is need to work together through understanding and cooperation, he said.
He said standards built trust and Nigerians would trust them once they complied with standards.
The leader of the group, Mr. Sunnil Goel, said the members had come to felicitate with him and intimate him of the challenges confronting them.
Goel lamented the current economic situation which affecting the the group negatively.
He pledged support and willingness to work with SON with to achieve the objectives and vision of the organisation.
It will be recalled that in commemoration of the World Standards Day in 2015, SON had urged members of the public to desist from patronising sub-standard goods in an effort to check the influx of such commodities to the country.
According to the SON, continued patronage of such goods would only sustain the businesses of those involved in the illicit trade.
It further embarked on increased consumer awareness initiative to empower consumers on the negative impact substandard goods have on lives of people and properties.