The new punishment for importers of substandard products to Nigeria is either life imprisonment or N1million fine, according to Joseph Odumodu, director general, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).
Odumodu who spoke during a visit by committee members on Industry Trade and Investment in Abuja, stated that a bill to improve punishment on violators of substandard products will soon be ready.
He said, “Presently I do not have the power to prosecute, with this bill violators of importation of substandard products will either be jailed or pay a fine of N1m.
“The agency is working round the clock to rid the market of substandard products, Abuja as the capital city should be the first to be rid of substandard products.
“We are also working towards having an electronic production registration system, presently only 5% of the products in the market have been registered. This is the only way most of the substandard products in the market can be check mated.
“I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to the National Assembly to ensure traceability in checkmating these products. All products that are of standard have two codes, visible and invisible, importers are not in support of the invisible because they can always copy it. So they have been agitating for the scrapping of the invisible.”
He added that he had threatened to close down some markets; while other traders said if he ever closes any market they will shut down the whole market in Nigeria, stating that the nation cannot continue like this as this will soon mean paying foreigners for a job that should be done by indigenes.
Mohommed Ogoshi Onawo, chairman, Committee on Industry Trade and Investment, assured the agency that it will look into the situation, as the bill for punishment of importers of substandard products would be out soon. He urged SON to check the inflow of adulterated fuel, kerosene, generator set among others.