Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has cited non-cooperation from the Chinese standard regulatory body as the reason for the continuous importation of fake and substandard Chinese products into Nigeria.
This revelation was made during an interaction between management of SON and ‘Course 16’ participant of the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) who were on a study visit to SON in Abuja.
Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has cited non-cooperation from the Chinese standard regulatory body as the reason for the continuous importation of fake and substandard Chinese products into Nigeria.
This revelation was made during an interaction between management of SON and ‘Course 16’ participant of the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) who were on a study visit to SON in Abuja.
Reacting to concerns over the unabated influx of fake and substandard products into the country, Barr. Umaru Kawu, the Director Legal, Services of SON, disclosed that several discussions with the Chinese authority remained deadlocked since 2007.
Kawu said: “In our discussion, we demanded that all exports from China should carry certificate of free sail, which presupposes that the same goods can be sold in China, they declined, and these raises ethical question about allowing a company to produce what is below an acceptable standard in your country
“The next stumbling block is related to commercial remedy, linked to the return of product is the ability of a Nigerian who has followed all the requirement, having opened ‘Form- M’ and letters of credit, there is traceability. We said look, once we can trace the persons responsible for these violations attitude, we should be able to make the information available to them in China to assist in getting back the money, again they said this are commercial matters, they cannot participate in them.”
Barr Kawu who also blamed Nigerians for going to manufacturers to demand for low standard specifications, disclosed that SON has stated its position to government.
The Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhiri, was also recently reported to have said a large portion of the fake goods in Nigeria emanated from China.
Orhiri was quoted to have said during a press conference that India and China accounted for most of the counterfeit drugs imported into the country, noting that while India was playing supportive role to fight the trend, China was passive.
On steps to curtail the trend, Barr kawu said:“What we have done is to state the position of SON to government and we believe government is doing its best to resolve the issue through other channels.”
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