The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has raised the alarm over the executive order recently issued by the Acting President; Yemi Osinbajo, the SON said the order poses serious challenge against the agency implementing its mandate.
This is even as the agency has introduced an Alternative Dispute Resolution desk for customers’ feedback and collaboration unit in order to ease the cost of doing business at the nation's ports.
Director General of SON; Osita Aboloma stated this yesterday in Lagos during a one day sensitisation workshop of SON's act 2014 and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The DG revealed that the agency would slam N20million fine or 20% value of the product on any unscrupulous importer who refuses to do the right thing.
Speaking further, he noted that the SON Act and ease of doing business in Nigeria pose serious challenge toward the agency's collective effort to do the right thing for businesses to thrive in the country.
Aboloma, represented by the Director of Legal Service of the agency; Mr. Umar Kawu, pointed out that SON Act of 2015 has certain unique provisions towards ensuring a level playing field was created for manufacturers, importers and exporters.
Aboloma noted that the essence of the fine is to ensure that compliant businessmen are not disadvantaged by people who engage in manufacturing, importation and exportation of sub- standard items.
"Where every person concerned with manufacturing, importation and exportation, sale of products do so act on the same requirements, cost of doing business would become predictable as discipline would be brought into the system"
"Toward this end, SON has established a full-fledged Alternative Dispute Resolution desk within its customers feedback and collaboration unit and this is also as a means of easing the cost of doing business; here, therefore lies the link between the SON act 2015 and the ease of doing business in Nigeria"
"It is the same discipline that the ease of doing business initiative seeks to bring and on our part, we solemnly resolve that though the law has clothed SON with enormous power, this power would only be exercised as a matter of last resort", he added .
The agency boss further stressed for stakeholders to collaborate with government agencies in actualising the 24 hours clearance of cargoes from the ports, assuring Nigerians of SON's resolve to be a trade facilitator and agent in ensuring that the nation's economic and industrial growth is fast tracked.
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