The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Director General, DG, Barrister, Osita Aboloma has sought for a better and efficient collaboration with Manufacturers and Importers Association in Alaba market to eliminate influx of substandard goods into the country.
Speaking during a strategic meeting with stakeholders in Lagos on Thursday, the DG, sought for the support of all the marketers and dealers of imported goods to guard against the influx of the fake, unbranded and sub-standard products in the markets.
Aboloma said that SON operations has improved with the automation of its operations, and that agency now operates more as a business facilitator than that of regulator.
He further said that one of the strategies adopted by SON, is the convening of such interactive collaboration among the key stakeholders to get rid of fake, unbranded and substandard products in our markets. According to him, SON alone cannot do it; therefore,’we need to work together to provide confidence among the users of the products in our markets through assurance quality and awareness among others’.
Speaking further he said that the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria [EDAN]’s collaboration with SON has been so fruitful, and would like other associations like the International Market Association of Electronics (IMAE), Alaba International Market, Lagos to also urge their members to collaborate with SON to eradicate the menace of fake products.
The Executive Chairman of (IMAE), , Evangelist Paulinus Ugochukwu in his submission said that the only way out of this challenge is to collaborate with SON to create more awareness on fake, unbranded and substandard products in our markets.
Also speaking to journalist after the meeting, the National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Custom Agents, (ANCLA) Mr Iju Tony Nwabunike said that his association is ready to partner with all government agencies in the ports to facilitate trade and will partner with SON on the ease of doing business to promote trade, and to make things work seamlessly.
