The Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Osita Aboloma, has identified high degree of non-compliance by importers and absence of his organisation at some import entry points as reasons for their pursuit against substandard importation into the country.
Addressing participants at a one-day workshop on “Facilitating Trade Through SON’s Services” in Lagos, Aboloma reiterated SON’s commitment to continually protect Nigerians from the dangers of fake, substandard and dangerous goods.
The DG, who was represented by Engr. Obiora Manafa, a Director in charge of port operations, added that it was easier to prevent imported substandard products at points of entry than chasing such products in markets and warehouses.
According to him, it is hundred percent more expensive to chase already imported products than stopping such importation at points of entry.
Aboloma said, it requires security cover, logistics and surveillance to keep the anti substandard goods battle up.
On automation of it’s processes, he told the gathering including importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders and port users, that compliant importers can get approval within 10 minutes.
He pleaded that importers should avoid a situation where their products arrive into the country before moving to get the SON Conformity Assessment Program ( SONCAP) registration.
