Why  Alaba electric dealers seek SON’s collaboration on local production

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN), Alaba International Market has sought the support of the standard organization of Nigeria (SON) to create conducive environment to boost local production of goods and services in the country.

The Executive Chairman of Alaba International Amalgamated Traders Assocation, who is also EDAN Chairman, Chief Fabian Ezeradi Ezeorjika, stated this when he lead the association on a courtesy visit to the new Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim.

Ezeorjika said, most of the challenges bedevilling the country today was as a result of the country not being able to produce greater part of her needed products which would have boosted the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the nation and created jobs.

Being only importing nation makes the country poor, a dumping ground, kills initiative and only creates job opportunities for the exporting nations and  unemployment to the importing nation like Nigeria.

Alaba International Market

“We need to create a conducive environment for local production.
Importation only creates job opportunities for people we import from. We must create a platform to boost local production,” he said.

Ezeorjika, promised for the association’s unalloyed support to SON, maintained that their harmonious working relationship will be sustained.to achieve a substandard free market.

He assured that with the support of SON, unscrupulous elements in the market Will be exposed.

The association he said currently has a Joint Task Force comprising of SON officials and currently running a “buyer beware campaign” in the market.

“SON has destroyed a lot of products, while some of our members are in court and we are going to increase the level of collaboration with SON
because we want to bring an end to substandard goods, Ezeradi vowed.

Earlier, the SON DG, Salim assured of the organization’s support and willingness to make work and businesses for Nigerians

He announced plans to increase level of engagement with stakeholders in the country, including Alaba International Market, noting that the move by the agency would help protect the interest of the business community while also safeguarding lives and property.

Salim called on those in the business of faking brands and names of existing businesses to desist as it would not hesitate to de-register such businesses.

According to him, cloning of brands take a huge chunk of market share and equity from original manufacturers which must be checked to fight substandard goods in the country.

Those businesses that hide under the names of successful brands to short-change  unsuspecting consumers will not be spared by The organization’s sledge hammer, and called for collaborative efforts.

The DG stated,  “the issue of cloning brands cannot be handled alone by SON, but going forward, we are going to audit the products we register and certify it.

“Anytime a new product comes and looks similar to another registered product  that is already popular in the market, we will try to discourage the registration of that product with such a name, so that other products would be identified properly. This will increase
traceability of products not yet in circulation.”

The new helmsman of SON said the regulatory agency would work with stakeholders to sensitize the business community on the need to ensure safety and standards, maintained that cutting corners will not be tolerated as offenders would be made to test the full weight of the law..

He assured the traders, “We are here to work with them and to make their job easy while also to protect their interest because they are Nigerians employing people and they are doing what needs to be done. We are looking forward to cooperating with them to ensure that every other individual in their association not doing the right thing is encouraged to doing the right thing in the future.”

“We are inviting stakeholders and the plan is to work together with stakeholders to sensitize and train  them on safety of lives  and property.” Salim stated.

He also warned that, those breaking the law  will face appropriate  sanctions “As for those still breaking the laws, we will enforce our laws either by court or through appropriate regulations .”

SON he said would reach out to the community through sensitization programmes to highlight the negative impacts of substandard goods on the business community.

“They have promised to work with us and those people who are not doing the right thing would be fished out. The task is for us to continue cooperation, continue openness and to be fair with each other.

” We want you to be our eyes in the market. Help us make our work easy because we are out here to make you competitive. Let us work together to make this happen as we would be reaching to everyone in the market,” he said.