SON frowns over faking its logo, warns importers

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has frowned at the attitude of importers who fake it’s authorization logo on goods that are not known by the agency.

SON therefore  called on such dubious business men to desist from faking, it’s logo, they should rather build their own brands and be original, promising to give them  all the necessary support towards achieving that.

The call was made by the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma at a sensitisation workshop organized for the International Market Association Electronics (IMAE) Alaba market Lagos  recently.

Aboloma warned that the organization has beamed its searchlight on those who delight only in faking its logo and documents, that the arms of the law would soon catch up with them.

The Director in-Charge, SON Lagos, Kabir Mohammed who represented Aboloma at the  event said the organization is leaving no stone unturned  to ensure that circulation of substandard goods are brought down to the barest minimum.

He therefore charged  electronic dealers to align with bringing in goods as Completely Knock Downs (CKDs) and Semi Knock Downs (SKDs) for assembling and branding.

He decried  a situation importers continue to engage in all manner of fowl plays and illicit acts that only promoting goods from other countries, he implored them put up their brands and expect tremendous support from SON

“Coming to Alaba is to bring standards to the door step of the traders and importers, and you know of course that people come to this market from all parts of the country as well as other African countries to buy products, most of them often complain.

“It’s only when they do the right thing that the sector will impact on the nation’s economy through wealth creation and employment opportunities,” he said

Aboloma  however expressed optimism that with the  intensified  campaigns of the agency that has come with an improved compliance, they would no doubt intensify their engagement with the public on the adverse effect of substandard goods on lives and economy.

He advised the dealers to register their brands with SON, saying that as far as their product were successful at the safety parameters and market requirements, their goods would be patronised.

“We are here to sensitise the traders to do the right thing by importing only products that comply with the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).

“From our experience, we have observed that most of them import substandard products where many of them fail market requirements in the sense that they bring in the goods unbranded with the intention of faking,” he added.

In his speech,  Evangelist Paulinus Ugochukwu, Executive Chairman, Alaba Electronics, commended the vigour exhibited by SON in making stakeholders come to terms with the reality on ground.