The Senate Committee on Industries has restated the imperative of ensuring that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) returns to the nation’s seaports.
Chairman of the Committee; Senator Bayo Osinowo while speaking when the committee paid a working visit to SON’s laboratory complex in Ogba, Ikejal Lagos, expressed worries that SON’s operatives have been barred from being physically present at the ports.
Speaking on behalf members of the committee, he argued that there was the need for the organization to be at the ports.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that SON was one of the government agencies that were sent away from the seaports which were directed to come only when invited by the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to the committee chairman, “it is unfortunate that SON is not at the port. When we established SON, it was to monitor all standards of products produced and imported into the country.
“When we found out that SON was not at the ports, we decided to address this by looking into it and amending it because there must be an office for them at the ports to carry out their mandate effectively.”
He stressed that the strategic importance of SON in checking influx of substandard goods into the country underscores the need for its personnel to be at the ports.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that this position was also canvassed last week by the Director General of SON, Dr. Osita Aboloma, when he raised alarm over the influx of substandard goods into Nigeria, even as he maintained that to address the menace, SON has to return to the ports.
Aboloma who spoke during a sensitisation programme for maritime stakeholders explained that it was only when the agency is in the ports that it would be able to effectively curtail such substandard imports into the country.
Aboloma who was represented by the Director of Operation and Compliance, Engr. Obiora Manafa argued that it was better to wait for such substandard goods at the points of entry instead of chasing them all over in Nigeria.
He had said, “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 easier to fight the influx of substandard products at the points of entry than chasing them around all over the country in markets, warehouses, etc.”
“You people (NIMASA) should be ashamed of yourselves. How do we move forward as a country if we continue like this? What engagement is more important than this type of investigative hearing. This type of attitude is unacceptable’, he said.
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