SON confiscates N200m substandard baby diapers, arrests importers

Following the outcome of its surveillance activities, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has confiscated N200 million substandard baby diapers from a Chinese firm, Ming Teag Trade and Investment Company limited in Lagos.

The Chinese firm, which specialises in importation of unbranded baby diapers into the country, had some of its staff arrested in the process.

According to the SON, the sub-standard baby products when brought into the country were stuffed in different packages in very unhygienic environment.

Head, Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate of the Organisation, Engr. Bede Obayi in a statement made available to The Guardian, said the agency had in the recent times been inundated with complaints of rashes and other strange diseases on babies’ private parts ostensibly after the use of these substandard baby diapers.

He said: “What is most worrisome to us is not only the fact that the product is suspected to be substandard but the filthy environment under which this nefarious acts were perpetrated by these Chinese. Only God knows the level of harm they had inflicted on our babies these past years’’.

SON, he said would not allow foreigners to come to Nigeria and do whatever they like in the name of business adding that the agency owes a duty to Nigerians to protect them from purchase and use of fake and substandard goods, which are capable of endangering their lives and property.

“Indeed, the three Chinese who were carrying out the act were arrested by the police and the entire products worth over N200m were evacuated and shall be subjected to laboratory analysis”, he added.

Obayi urged Nigerians especially mothers to always ensure they patronise quality products meant to be used or applied on their babies.

He also called on importers to ensure that their goods were accompanied with SONCAP certificate, which guarantees the quality of the products in addition to having them registered for traceability.

He assured Nigerians that the Organisation’s surveillance team is all over the country monitoring the activities of businesses especially importers with a view to ensuring they comply with laid down regulations.

While calling on the public to supply his office with useful information on the activities of those who convert their room apartments and their backyards for adulterating and faking of other people’s products, Obayi said, “By so doing, we will all be working as a team in saving lives and property as well as growing the economy”.