SON to prosecute dealers of substandard products

The newly appointed Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Aboloma Anthony Osita, has identified lack of prosecution as the major reason why Nigeria is still grappling with challenges of fake and substandard goods.

He said if prosecutions of offenders had been thoroughly taken to logical conclusions in the past, then there is likelihood that such cases would have served as deterrent for others who may want to continue to see Nigeria as a dumping ground for such goods.

He said he will place more emphasis on prosecution of offenders in order to rid the country of products not fit for Europe and indeed other parts of the world.

Osita indicated this in Abuja when he took over the rein of leadership from the acting DG, Paul Angya.

He promised to build on the existing structure already laid down by the organization in order to achieve the overall objective of the Federal Government of bringing to the barest minimum the influx of fake and substandard goods into the country.

Osita said the diversification plan of the federal government calls for every member of staff of the organisation to see themselves as ambassadors of the organisation adding that diversification program cannot make headway if the country still rely on its monolithic economy.

His words, ‘If we much achieve the overall diversification objective of the Federal Government, then we need to see ourselves as the first agents of change, moving from one source of income for the nation has indeed put more pressure on us to do more and think out of the box. The change we all desire should begin with us’.

He said agriculture produce need to be given priority place by the agency noting that goods meant for export should achieve the globally acceptable standards in order for Nigeria to earn money.

He added that the diversification plans of the federal government has also put more pressure on the members of staff of the agency as they are the ones being looked upon to break the barrier of product rejects in the global market.

He promised to operate an inclusive management style in the organisation and has since assumed duties as the substantive DG of the agency.

Angya handed over collected departmental notes which he said comprises strategic objectives set up by the agency which acts as enablers and facilitators to achieving the main objective of the standards body.