The House of Representatives has resolved to invite the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Director-General, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission over influx of sub-standard products in the country.
This was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Chike Okafor (APC-Imo) at the plenary on Wednesday.
Moving the motion earlier, Okafor said that the “Standards Organisation of Nigeria is vested with the powers to confiscate sub-standard or counterfeit products”.
He said that it was also saddled with the supervisory and prosecutorial powers against importers, manufacturers and producers of counterfeit products.
According to him, the domestic market was awash with all kinds and categories of fake products, including electronics, household appliances and equipment, building materials and automobile parts.
The legislator said that the government of Nigeria appeared overwhelmed by the enormity of the menace.
“Sub-standard products manufactured or imported into Nigeria endanger lives and create a disincentive to investments and local production, thereby negating the whole essence of protecting Nigeria industries and have negatively affected the economy.
“Foreign investors and Nigerian entrepreneurs who create jobs and contribute significantly to the economy are closing down because of their inability to compete with fake and sub-standard products being dumped in Nigeria.
“The reccurring tragedy of collapsed buildings has mostly been linked to the usage of substandard building materials imported or manufactured in Nigeria.
“Also most vehicular accidents have been attributed to faulty sub-standard or expired mechanical parts and tires,” he said.
Okafor noted that goods and other products produced or imported into Nigeria should be of a standards that guarantees quality.
He explained that it would save lives, encourages local industries and foreign investments in Nigeria and provides value for money.
Speaker of the Gouse Femi Gbajabiamila mandated committees on Commerce, Industry, Information, National Orientation and Ethics and Values to invite the officials.
He mandated the committees to find out measures taken so far to proffer lasting solution to the spread of fake and counterfeit goods in Nigeria and report back in four weeks for further legislative action.nan
