Chijioke Iremeka
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria, says checkmating the influx of fake, substandard products is possible with its presence at the nation’s seaport.
SON also stressed that commencing operation at one of the largest seaports in West Africa will ensure a more impactful, sustainable future for the country,
This was stated by the Director General of the agency, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, during the 2024 Strategic Leadership Retreat held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Wednesday.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that the SON was among seven out of the 14 agencies operating at Nigeria’s seaports that were asked to stop operations by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority in June 2017.
This move was in line with the implementation of the ‘Executive Order’ signed by the former Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo while in acting capacity during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The directive was part of efforts to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Affected by the order were the SON; the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control; and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among others.
The then Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, said the only agencies, apart from hers, permitted to operate at the ports were the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency; Department of State Security; Nigerian Customs Service; Nigeria Police; Nigerian Immigration Service; and Port Health.
The DG of SON, while speaking on the theme of the retreat, ‘Service Optimisation, Greater Effectiveness, and Revenue Enhancement for a Renewed Future’, stressed that the organisation’s presence at the ports preempts the entry of substandard products into the country.
Okeke said he is in talks with the supervising minister to facilitate SON’s permanent return to the ports, insisting that its constitutional duties do not conflict with those of other agencies.
He added, “SON must return to the port to prevent bad products from coming into the country in the first place. It is working closely with the supervising Minister to bring us back permanently at the ports.”
According to him, there is an ongoing effort with support from the supervising ministry to amend its Act of 2015 to align with current realities and international best practices.
He also hinted at SON’s partnership with the presidential initiative on Compressed Natural Gas to ensure the availability of standard products and the implementation of standard policies.
“SON is collaborating with the relevant agencies. We have the Nigeria Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council, and Presidential initiative on CNG,” he added.
Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Nura Abba Rimi, who was represented by the Director of the Industrial Inspectorate Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Anietie Umoessien, emphasised SON’s critical role in consumer protection and urged the organisation to strive for excellence in service delivery.
She advocated for increased funding for SON to enhance its operations, particularly in initiatives like product authentication, which would mitigate the proliferation of fake products in the market.
Rimi said, “We want SON to be a new SON, an e-SON, and a SON that has a product authentication mark. The main function of SON is standardisation of products and you see with the new Presidential initiative for CNG, SON had already standardised for CNG products, about 87 of them.
“So, we would carry SON up to the next optimal level to be able to compete with other products in the world.
“Funding is one of the major challenges of SON. So, we encourage the FG to give SON more funds to be able to carry out its assignments as the product authentication mark is a good initiative.
“You have your product, authenticate it, and that is it. There will be no issue of fake iron rods, fake products, you authenticate it directly.”
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