SON seizes N500 million substandard roofing sheets

Towards curbing the sale and manufacture of substandard roofing sheets in the country, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has apprehended galvanized roofing sheets and aluminium coils worth about N500 million in Owerri and Okigwe, Imo State.

The new wave of SON intervention is coming on the heels of complaints from property develiopers. In fact, homeowners have been facing herculean task detecting the original roofing sheets as the building materials market have been flooded with substandard products.

Speaking on the raid of warehouses at the two locations in the state, SON Director General, Osita Aboloma represented by Dele Omolawon, the enforcement team leader, revealed that on the spot tests on the galvanized roofing sheets showed that they do not meet the requirements of the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS).

Omolawon told The Guardian that the galvanized roofing sheets apprehended in Owerri were lo gauges and fails to meet the minimum value standard prescribed in the NIS.

Similarly at Okigwe, the impounded coils used for the manufacturing of galvanized roofing sheets showed a non-conformance and falls below minimum requirements

Omolawon reiterated the SON Chief Executive’s resolve to rid the nation of substandard products with its focus presently on roofing sheets sector due to safety concerns and economic losses being experienced by unsuspecting Consumers of the products who have been inundating SON with myriads of complaints.

The team leader restated that the exercise was part of a nationwide surveillance program to locate and mop up substandard roofing sheets to ensure that only good quality roofing sheets that meet the minimum requirements of the Nigeria Industrial Standards are displayed in the open markets or stocked in warehouses.

According him, SON wishes that Nigerian consumers can confidently walk into an outlet, warehouse or stockist to purchase roofing sheets knowing that he will get good quality and value for money that would not put their lives and properties at risk.

He therefore enjoined Nigerians to seek expert advice when purchasing roofing sheets or visit the nearest  SON office in the 36 states of the federation for advice. He also advised importers and manufacturers to adhere strictly to the standards to avoid products confiscation, destruction and possible prosecution.

On the sealed warehouses and products put on hold, Omolawon stated that further investigation and testing are to be carried out following which the Management will give further directives.

Substandard products, he said are subject to evacuation, destruction and prosecution of offenders in line with the SON Act 14 of 2015.