NAGAFF Demands Immediate Return of SON to the Port. BY CHINONYE ANYATONWU.

The founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarder(NAGAFF) Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has demanded the immediate come back of standard Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)to the port in order to checkmate the influx of substandard and expired goods into the country.

Dr. Aniebonam said these in a media roundtable organized by the Maritime Journalist Association of Nigeria(MAJAN) with the stakeholders at the secretariat recently in Lagos, reiterate that that SON as an agency represent Life in all ramitification , while NAFDAC existence at the port has no significant role to play in terms of facilitation of trade.

He stated the roles SON plays in the examination of cargoes at the ports, stressing the need for it’s return in furtherance to seamless import and export operations.

He therefore described the coming back of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at the port as mere politics, insisting on Federal government to reinstate the Standard Organisation Nigeria (SON) in cargo examination.

Earlier speaking, the Director – General of SON. Mr. Osita Anthony Aboloma alerted journalists and stakeholders to help the Agency with useful information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of importers of substandard products into the country as this will help to stop the influx of adulterated and expired product entering the country.

Aboloma, who was represented by the Deputy Director, inspector and compliance monitoring, Engr. Enebi Shaibu Onucheyo pointed out that the imminent challenge of combating the possible dumping of substandard and life endangering products through the seaports would definitely be a challenge to their preparedness, “We will continue in our struggle to get back to the port and l believe that with your support and campaign, we will be back to the port.

He expresses the Agency readiness and assured that the organisation is prepared as quality laboratory has been put in place following the approval of African Continental Free Trade Agreement Policy (AFCFTA) by the government.

SON DG. maintained that their standard must not be compromised ,pointed that all fingers must be on deck for SON to live up to its responsibility.