- SON Seizes N8bn Substandard Cables from China
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has intercepted over N8bn worth of substandard electrical cables.
The cables, according to the organisation, are cloned versions of 20 popular Nigerian brands and shipped from China into the country.
The cables were discovered in two residential buildings in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State by the enforcement team of SON.
While conducting journalists round the premises on Monday, the Director-General, SON, Mr. Osita Aboloma, said that the cables were imported by one Estobest Electrical Limited, adding that the company targeted and cloned Nigerian cables already certified by the agency in deceptive packages.
Aboloma, who was represented by the Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, SON, Mr. Bede Obayi, pointed out that the agency had made some progress in the area of sanitising the nation’s cable market, adding that dubious importers were trying to cash in on that achievement by going overseas to clone Nigerian cables adjudged to be best in the world.
He said, “All these cloned cables were made in China, but packaged as made-in-Nigeria products.
“You know we are proud of made-in-Nigeria cables, because it they are about the best cables in the world. This illegal act will not be accepted; we are going to go after the importer and prosecute him.”
He noted that the importer decided to locate the warehouse in a residential area to avoid the prying eyes of the regulatory agencies.
He added that the SON enforcement team would continue to burst dubious importers who resort to bringing in substandard products.
The DG stated, “Nobody can imagine someone coming down here to fully stock two buildings with substandard cables. These are purported to be Nigerian brands but made in China.
“Some Nigerian companies are laying off staff because of low sales. Because the government has now focused on promoting quality products made in Nigeria, these people now go abroad to fake Nigerian products already certified by the SON. Those behind it will be made to face the full wrath of the law, because it is a clear case of fraud.”
