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SON urges stakeholders to desist from
spreading misinformation that undermines the efforts towards quality assurance in the iron and steel industry.
By Valentine Amanze
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has assured that it was well equipped, and would not renage on its responsibility of fighting the influx of fake and substandard products in Nigeria.
SON was apparently responding to the allegation by the Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) that the agency was ineffective in curbing the circulation of substandard products in the Nigerian market.
In a statement issued by the Director, Public Relations, Mrs Foluso Bolaji, SON debunked the allegation, describing it as flawed and misleading.
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SON stated: “Contrary to the claims made by the IRSDEUN, our investigations and stringent
monitoring mechanisms have revealed a different reality.
“It is essential to set the record straight and address the inaccuracies presented by the union.
“The Standards Organisation of Nigeria vehemently rejects the assertion that SON has been lax in its regulatory duties. On the contrary, SON has been proactive in implementing measures to ensure that only products meeting the required quality
standards are allowed into the market.
“Our efforts have led to significant strides in curbing the proliferation of substandard iron rods and steel products.
Furthermore, the suggestion that iron and steel distributors are mere victims in this
scenario is disingenuous.”
SON however disclosed that distributors had been implicated as key players in the dissemination of substandard products.
“There have been instances where distributors exert pressure on manufacturers to produce
substandard goods for their selfish gains, thus perpetuating the cycle of substandard
products in the market,” SON stated.
It pointed out that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by STEELMAN (an
association of Steel Manufacturing companies who form a voluntary self – regulatory team) in February, 2024, under the auspices of SON, underscored the agency’s commitment to
quality assurance.
“The self-regulating system adopted by these companies, in
collaboration with SON, demonstrates a proactive approach towards ensuring compliance with national standards,” it stated.
Besides, SON urged stakeholders to desist from
spreading misinformation that undermines the efforts towards quality assurance in the iron and steel industry.
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