By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
In a renewed effort to check the proliferation of substandard goods in the Nigerian markets, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has organized a Sectoral Stakeholders Workshop in Bauchi.
Theme “Reduction of Substandard Goods in Nigeria”
SON charged Consumers of goods and services in the northeast region to always identify and report substandard products in the market to appropriate authority for necessary action.
Speaking in a welcome address, the Director General of SON Mr. Anthony Osita Aboloma, said the objective of the one day Workshop was to bring together stakeholders from the North Eastern part of the country and that it is hoped that at the end of the workshop participants will be well inform about the activities of SON in mitigating the circulation of Substandard products in the market.
Represented by an Assistant Director Operations, SON headquarters Abuja, Alhaji Adamu Abba (Galajen Bauchi), DG call on the participants to be participatory at the workshop, stressing that“ it is expected that at the end of the workshop you would be equipped with the various techniques of detecting Substandard products and it is also hoped that you would try to proffer ways on how to curtail the presence of those products in our markets and other places”.
Declaring the workshop open, Emir of Bauchi Dr. Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu assured the readiness of traditional institution in supporting the cross age against substandard and fake products in the region.
Adamu said, Traditional leaders are key stakeholders in the fight against substandard products in the country. He enjoined Nigerians to be vigilant in identifying Substandard products around them and in the markets pointing out that , “ it is only when we are in tune with what is happening around us that we can be able to know that there is fake products in our markets”.
Represented by Barden Kudu of Bauchi Dr. Hayatu Mustapha described the workshop as timely saying “ SON should also from, time to time, be organizing similar workshops for community leaders too, because of our strategic importance and closeness to our respective communities”.
Also speaking Alhaji Adamu Umar Gokaru the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of Commerce and Industry called on the participants to find solution to the problem of substandard and fake products in circulation in our markets today.
Represented by a Director in the ministry, Mr. Abayomi, the Perm Sec. Gokaru applauded the commitment of the state government under governorship of Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar for tremendous assistant rendering to government agencies.
In her vote of thanks at the end of the one day exercise, the State Coordinator of SON Engineer Hauwa Hussain, thanked Bauchi state government, Bauchi emirate council, other traditional institutions in the state, security agencies and the media for the support to the SON office in Bauchi has been receiving in carrying out its mandate of mitigating the circulation of Substandard products.
Engr. Hussain further said ,“to our very important participants, I urge you to please put what you have learn here today into use, especially the techniques of detecting fake products and report it to our office. The fight against the selling of substandard products is a collective responsibility that cannot be left alone with SON and I am appealing to Nigerian consumers to shun such unwholesome products”.
“Do not purchase any product without the Product Authentication Mark (PAM) seal” saying the initiative by SON is to help protect the manufacturers, sellers and buyers from the danger of substandard and fake products” “this is to regulate and make sure that all products are genuine and meet required standard.” she said
There were good will messages from the State government, relevant MDAs and Security agencies. The workshop attracted participants from the manufacturing, trade and market associations from the North East zone. Four papers were presented by resource persons drawn from the academia and other relevant sectors.