Admit us in port, and we will stop chasing fake products in markets and warehouse

The Director-General of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Mr Osita A bolo ma disclosed in a one day Stakeholders forum Organized by the agency recently in Lagos in A papa that he wants (SON) to come back to the ports. Speaking through the director inspectorate and Compliance of SON Engr Obiora Manafa said that SON’s absent at the ports created a big problem in checkmating the influx of substandard products in the Nation, said that operation should be conducted at the port and border ports instead of chasing fake products all over the Nation, in markets and warehouse and other places.

Stating further Obiora said that The enforcement unit it’s finding it very difficult to chase substandard products across the country as far as the product has left the port, you don’t know the destination. It can be in kano today Enugu in the next day and spread to other parts of the country: before the week runs out.

You don’t know the direction that the product will get to as soon as It leaves the various ports. He, however, underscores the need to disabuse the mind of those who think that (SON)was out to close down their businesses by insisting on quality and standards requirements. According to Obiora Son is only protecting Nigerians from bad imported goods to the country, He urges importers to always perfect their documentation and SONCAP, SON Conformity Assessment program, before cargos arrival to the country. *The National president of Association of Nigerian licensed customs Agents (ANLCA) Mr Tony Nwabunike Iju raised an alarmed over members losing N20 billion in ten years interval by non-compliance of unscrupulous Importers.

According to Iju, This task is daunting, but we are not relenting because customs brokers have suffered an estimated cumulative loss amounting to over N20billion in the last ten years for undertaking to clear goods discovered to be substandard. He said that the association has taken it upon herself to educate importers on the need for their compliance to safeguard lives and avoid losses emanating from seizures and destruction of fake and substandard goods. Let me put it clearly(He quoted )that upon seizures of suspected fake or substandard goods after payment of duty, It will be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for an importer to pay your balance sum agreed even after the broker have spent his money on the logistic.

Iju call (SON) DG to have regular meeting with stakeholder to boost trade facilitation and Nigeria customs services to integrate SON into Nigeria customs information system (NICIS) as a means to enhance trade and promote ease of doing business at the ports. The former National President of Government Approves freight forwarding, Dr Eugene Nweke urged SON management to ensure collaboration with the council for the Regulation of freight forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to continually educate stakeholders. Speaking also in the meeting, the founder of NAGAFF. Dr Boniface Aniebonam said that SON as a tool for trade facilitation is trying to make a turn around to make business seamless in order to end corruption according to Aniebonam, It is the only due process that can solve the problem. He finally advised importers and agents to comply with (SON) process of standard, before bringing goods in the country through The Nation various Ports.