●As steel producers seek SON intervention over marginalisation by union
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has reiterated its commitment towards the nation’s economic and industrial growth in line with its statutory mandate.
It therefore maintained that no amount of blackmail and falsehood being peddled by agents of economic saboteurs would deter it from boosting product competitiveness and promoting investments across the country.
Reacting to recent media reports by Sahara Reporters, the agency stated that insinuations in some quarters that it has been shielding erring steel manufacturers were unfounded, malicious and remain the figment of the writers’ imagination.
In a statement issued by the Director General, SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, reiterated that the agency understands its mandate and will continue to discharge it in the interest of the nation and all stakeholders – manufacturers, importers, exporters, businessmen, dealers as well as products end-users.
“We know our work; we cannot be dissuaded by those who are pursuing selfish interest and agenda. We are working diligently to ensure that only standard and quality steel products are in circulation and on sale in the markets. Nobody can teach us our work, especially that of upholding quality and standards in the steel industry,” the SON boss stressed.
It may be recalled that the Iron Rods and Steel Dealers Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) had in a press statement recently signed by the National President, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, accused the SON of failing to prosecute erring steel manufacturing firms, including African Steel Limited.
But the SON DG explained that the provisions of the SON Act 2014, gives the agency powers to prosecute erring manufacturers whose products do not conform to the minimum requirements of the Nigeria industrial Standards (NIS).
According to Okeke, “The agency does not take its task lightly. However, in discharging this responsibility, the Organisation ensures that it follows due process by carrying out the specified laboratory tests and analyses to prove infractions or violations. You don’t go and shut down factories arbitrarily.
“The steel companies contribute immensely in jobs and employment opportunities. One steel company alone can have 3,000 workers directly and thousands of others, indirectly, handling hauling, scraps, and so on. So, they are big employers of labour. We work closely with them, regulate them rigorously and this enables us to have traceability for products not meant to be in the markets,” the SON DG emphasised.
The SON helmsman further assured the public that where a violation is identified and the culprit established, the organisation will not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the law on the perpetrator, no matter whose ox is gored.
The SON, he stressed, has been working tirelessly to bring sanity to the manufacturing ecosystem as well as boosting the confidence of both manufacturers and consumers by carrying out surprise raids on unscrupulous businesses in its quest to ensure strict adherence to standards at all times.
“As SON remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding consumer interest and promoting economic development, we call for constructive engagement from all stakeholders,” the SON chief stressed.
Meanwhile, the iron and steel manufacturers in the country have sent a save-our-soul message to the SON over what they described as unhealthy rivalry by members of the trade union.
Specifically, they decried the persecution by members of IRSDEUN, a situation they described as a disincentive to business and inimical to the growth and development of the sector at large.
In a statement by Oboh Idonogie, spokesperson to the Steel-MAN, the steel producers lamented that they have been facing increasing persecution as well as smear campaigns in the media against its members allegedly sponsored by IRSDEUN.
The steel makers disclosed that the due process set aside for the distribution and sale of steel products has been resisted and rejected by the key leaders of the iron dealers in the trade union for their selfish and personal interest.
According to Idonogie, “The traceability mark had issues. This happened to African Steel Limited and the company was sanctioned and made to remelt the product.”
But the steel distributors union had accused SON of failing to prosecute the erring manufacturers, alleging bias on the part of SON and threatening to take the matter to court.
The distributors equally claimed that “it was not the first time African Steel Limited would be sealed, just to be re-opened shortly and they would continue substandard production.
“In discharging this responsibility, the organisation ensures that it follows due process by carrying out the specified laboratory tests and analyses to determine product integrity.”
Expectedly, the steel producers have expressed their readiness to collaborate with the SON not only to sanitise the sector but equally to grow the nation’s industrial sector.
The manufacturers restated that no campaign of calumny would stop them from adherence to due process and ensuring fair trade and compliance to quality specifications in the nation’s steel industry.
They, therefore, maintained that they are satisfied with the commitment and level of SON’s interventions and regulation of the sector, urging the agency not to allow agents of disinvestment and those intent on monopolising the distribution and sale of steel products to discourage it from executing its statutory mandate.
