By Thompson ABISOLA
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it will blacklist and publish names of erring importers and manufacturers of fake and substandard lubricants in the country.
The Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, in a statement issued in Lagos, said that it was a decision reached by the organisation on Wednesday, after the opening of its office in Nassarawa.
He said that the action would also send a strong warning to unscrupulous individuals to desist from the nefarious trade in fake and substandard lubricants.
According to him, ‘‘the name and shame’’ exercise will also help Nigerians to identify genuine lubricants in the market while also deriving value for hard- earned money spent on such products.
“SON classifies lubricants as life threatening and life endangering, the effect is far reaching and the nation cannot industrialize without quality lubricants,” he said.
Aboloma noted that courtesy of SON Act 2015, the agency had been empowered to prosecute purveyors of fake and substandard goods who indulged in the act of faking and adulterating established and successful brands to cheat Nigerian users.
“SON will not sit back and watch some unscrupulous people threaten the survival of the industry.
“We will not sit down and watch these people pull down the investments of genuine manufacturers or importers. As long as you are law abiding, we will be there to protect you,” he said.
The DG advised stakeholders in the lubricant sector to support the organization in its quest to rid Nigeria of substandard products in general, urging them to always consult SON for the minimum quality requirements for all products as outlined in the Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS).
He said the new SON office was to bring standards close to the people, while also achieving efficient and effect service delivery of standards.
Aboloma noted that the office would also go a long way to checkmating the influx of substandard goods in the State.
In a similar development, SON in its quest to bridge the gap in information dissemination and create accessibility standards to all also carried out a sensitization programme on the dangers of substandard products, especially on lubricants, car brakes and car batteries in Lagos state.
The programme was held at the Aswani, Mechanic Village and its environs.
The State Coordinator Lagos Office II, Mrs Oby Egbuziem representing the Director General, said with the yuletide period, the get-quick-rich syndrome where people would peddle all sorts of products in the market for great financial reward would surface.
She stressed the need to sensitize and enlighten everyone on the need to be vigilant and not fall prey to patronising substandard materials.
According to the coordinator, SON’s purpose was to expand the knowledge of everyone on the hazards of purchasing and selling substandard products.
Egbuziem explained that the aim of the sensitization was to simplify the SON mandate and make its presence felt at the grass root level.
