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Stakeholders seek removal of fake shaving sticks from markets

By Femi Adekoya
31 August 2015   |   5:15 am
IN a bid to salvage their investments from activities of counterfeiters, manufacturers and distributors of shaving sticks in the country have sought Federal Government’s intervention in checking the rising influx of imported sub-standard goods in the markets. Worried by the rising trend, stakeholders have urged government to empower regulatory agencies to remove the adulterated products…

Crowded Oshodi Market in NigeriaIN a bid to salvage their investments from activities of counterfeiters, manufacturers and distributors of shaving sticks in the country have sought Federal Government’s intervention in checking the rising influx of imported sub-standard goods in the markets.

Worried by the rising trend, stakeholders have urged government to empower regulatory agencies to remove the adulterated products from the markets, which pose a huge health threat to the country, as well as prosecute the offenders.

Specifically, manufacturers of BIC and DOSCO products attributed the rising level of counterfeited BIC products to activities of two firms, which engaged in manufacturing, importing and selling of fake BIC shaving sticks for over 12 years.

The National Sales Manager, BIC products, Olashore Fatai, while addressing journalists in Lagos at the weekend, described the activities of counterfeiters of the brand as a constant threat to the investment profile of Nigeria Ballpoint Pen Industries Plc (NIPPEN), the manufacturers of BIC products.

According to him, despite efforts of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in getting rid of fake BIC products from various markets, the counterfeiters are yet to relent from the illicit trade of such goods.

He said: “The search for the location of the factory where the manufacturer was carrying out the nefarious and illegal manufacturing of BIC shaving sticks lasted for over six years from 2016 to 2012 when we discovered his first factory located in Nwaziki Street, Awada, Onitsha, and sought the assistance of relevant agencies like SON who raided the factory and seized some equipment on September 26, 2012.

“The raid which led to recovery of millions of fake, adulterated and substandard BIC shaving sticks did not discourage this notorious adulterator from looking the other way by engaging in legal business activities but rather went ahead to establish another two illegal factories one in Nsugbe Road within of Prominent Nursery and Primary School, around 33 Area, Onitsha and the other one along Onitsha-Owerri Road with increased activities above the previous era.

“Due to our persistence relentless effort in getting rid of fake BIC products from our various markets coupled with the aggressiveness of SON in supporting the growth of local industries, this led to the discovery of the two illegal industries operated by a firm called Bendusco in November, 2014 which was also raided and closed down by SON with the assistance of other relevant security agencies.”

When contacted, the Head, Enforcement team, SON, Bede Obayi, stated that Bendusco is involved in counterfeiting eight brands of shaving stick, including Dorco, Excell Gillette and Zorrik, adding that the firm equally produces fake tooth brushes like Angola, Kitty and Nacet razor blades in a very unhygienic environment.

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