The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Salim Farooq has urged the Nigerian Government to re-introduce the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in the nation’s ports to effectively check the influx of substandard products.
Farooq said that chasing substandard products all over the country rather than waiting for them at the ports and border stations has been challenging to the regulators.
He disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, North Central Nigeria while addressing newsmen at the premises of KAM Holdings Limited.
The SON boss said that “It is important to note that non-involvement of SON at some ports in the country’s operations has continued to pose challenges particularly to the agency’s compliance and monitoring units.”
”It is only in Nigeria that the Standard Organisation’s directorate is not at the ports to authenticate goods brought into the country… This is counter-productive to the economy of the nation.
“It is easier to fight the influx of substandard products at the points of entry than chasing them around all over the country in markets and warehouses, among others,” he stated.
Farooq commended the investments of the Group Managing Director of KAM Holding Ltd, Dr Kamoru Yusuf for impacting positively on the lives of numerous Nigerians and expatriates.
He also lauded KAM Holdings Ltd for playing pivotal roles in the Iron and Steel manufacturing business and setting the pace for others to emulate in line with the guidelines of SON as well as that of other regulatory agencies.
The Chairman of KAM Holding, Dr Kamaru Yusuf stressed the need for the reintroduction of pre- shipment of goods at the nation’s ports to check the proliferation of arms, substandard products and loss of revenue in the country.
KAM Holding Ltd is the only 100% indigenous steel and allied manufacturing company in Nigeria and it’s located in Kwara State
Mercy Chukwudiebere
