… As Aniebonam seeks return of SON to seaports
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has announced its preparedness for the soon to commence African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Director General of SON, Mr. Osita Aboloma who disclosed this in a media roundtable organized by the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) in Lagos on Wednesday said that the agency started its preparations when it was obvious that Nigeria was going to sign the agreement.
Aboloma who was represented at the roundtable by the Deputy Director, Inspectorate and Compliance Monitoring, SON, Engr. Enebi Shaibu Onucheyo stated that the establishment of the Nigeria Meteorological Institute in Enugu by the agency was part of the preparations adding that the agency’s laboratory had been accredited such that any result from the lab was acceptable anywhere in the world.
“Then we have worked on harmonization of standards also within the West African sub-region and often time, it is Nigerian standard that is adopted and several other things that have been put in place in preparation for this agreement. So, we are ready”, he said.
He however pointed out that the imminent challenge of combating the possible dumping of substandard and life endangering products through the seaports would definitely be a challenge to their preparedness saying that “we will continue for now while we struggle to get back to the port and I want to believe with your support and campaigns, we will get back to the ports.”
“So, we will continue to deploy other strategies using automation, intelligence gathering and compliance monitoring to protect Nigerians from the menace of substandard and life endangering products, meaning that all of us, our hands should be on deck to give us information. When you see substandard products, inform us, you may not even tell us your name, anonymously, give us information and we will act.
“I want you also to support our fight of going back to the ports because if we are there to check these things, we will have less problems in our markets. So, we need your support to overcome that challenge”, he added.
On the benefit of AfCFTA to the Nigerian economy, he said, “If well managed, one, if we can check the quality of goods coming into our country and not that Nigeria is made a dumping ground, of course, it will take care of our labour market, expansion of businesses, return on investment as the name implies, of course, all of us will be happy. By implication, it will take care of security because if we all have jobs, everybody is comfortable, people will not think of going to commit crime. The advantages are numerous but we must get our strategies right. If we don’t check the quality of goods coming in at the point of entry and ensure that whatever goes into our markets meet the major requirements of our standards, then, we have problem in our hands and that is what we have prepared for and we are still strategizing to ensure that we get it right.
“So also, our own export too, you know we make a lot of proceeds from export. A lot of agro-allied products go from Nigeria to the US and other countries, so, it will improve all that. We will make a lot of money and Nigeria will be better for it. It will have a general effect on our GDP. So, we have to strategize very well to ensure that we manage very well the negative things that will come with the agreement.”
Also speaking, the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam wondered why SON should not be returned to the seaports even when NAFDAC had been asked to return even as he described the development as mere politics which SON could not play.
According to him, “Every cargo coming into this country, as far as it is a finished product or even raw material requires the attention of SON. We are not stopping that place, we are now doing automation, the NICIS of the customs, I don’t think that SON has linked up to it. So, even when they have the opportunity to get one or two things, the cargo has exited the port and what do they do?
“For me, other than politics, what makes you a human being, when you adopt a principle and it is not working, you review it. Yes, there is a policy that says some of the regulatory agencies should operate from outside the ports and should be invited. When you make a policy, try to look at the people you are dealing with. Why are we fighting that SON should not come to the port? Why are we worried that Continental Free Trade Agreement, when it comes into force, Nigeria will become a dumping ground? Things are not working well as far as port operation is concerned and the earlier we return SON to the ports, the better for the economy of this nation because we will be enriching other nations.
“So, tell them there is need for SON as a matter of urgency to return to the port, there is need for SON to beef up the Meteorological department so that they can create capacity and make people to grow and there is need for education and enlightenment of the stakeholders so that they will be ready to follow your law. “
On his part, the President of MAJAN, Mr. Ray Ugochukwu harped on the important role that SON plays in the economy and wondered why government which ought to encourage its agency for optimal performance would turn around to stifle the agency through policy pronouncements.
He however assured the SON delegation of the support of MAJAN in this regard promising that they would use their various platforms together with NAGAFF to fight to ensure the return of SON to the seaports as SON means life for Nigerians.
He further promised to visit the Lagos office of SON next week to better appreciate the various operational challenges faced by the agency with a view to assist in surmounting them through their platforms.
Send your news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @ptreporters and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526, 08053908817.
