In Lagos, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria has taken possession of fake and substandard products including tyres, solar batteries, and baby feeding bottles, with an estimated value in billions of naira.
A statement released by the organization revealed that these substandard items were removed from warehouses in various markets across Lagos State as part of their ongoing efforts to eliminate the presence of subpar products within the country.
Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General of SON, mentioned that the tyres suffered damage as a result of being crammed into containers during transportation.
Representing Okeke during the operation, Pius Manji, the Director of Inspectorate and Compliance at SON, explained that the evacuation was crucial to prevent these compromised tyres from entering the local market. The products failed quality tests due to the manner in which they were packed.
According to Manji, “The practice of cramming tyres into containers rather than shipping them separately has led to a situation where the tyres reach the country already in poor condition. Instead of importing 2000 tyres, 8000 are being brought in, which significantly diminishes their quality.”
He further added, “The integrity of the tyres, comprising wires and carbon, was found to be compromised upon examination. Despite their outward appearance, they are deemed unfit for use based on scientific analysis, warranting their destruction.”
Additionally, Okeke highlighted that the counterfeit solar batteries seized were imitations of reputable brands that fell short of SON’s stringent standards.
He emphasized, “Given the high cost of these solar batteries, consumers deserve products that meet expectations. As the world moves towards renewable energy sources, we will not tolerate any hindrances to Nigeria’s progress in this regard.”
Okeke raised concerns about the production of fake baby feeding bottles by unscrupulous individuals solely for financial gain, cautioning dishonest manufacturers to refrain from such malpractices as severe consequences await those caught engaging in deceitful activities.