AfCFTA: MAN, SON Partners to Checkmate Illegal Trade Deals

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have partnered to checkmate illegal trade deals that might exist since Nigeria recently signed African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) .

Although, the president, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN),  Mr Mansur Ahmed stated that the agreement would open lots of opportunities for the Nigerian economy, but stated that it comes with potential threats and challenges where unscrupulous dealers in substandard goods would hide under it to bring in fake and substandard goods.

To address this challenge, he called on the present administration to empower SON in terms of human, technological and institutional capacity  in a bid to combat dumping post AfCFTA.

In his words, “I believe this creates a new demand for SON and other regulators to scale up their activities to prevent dumping. By doing this, we are not protecting the interest of only the Nigerian manufacturers, but the African manufacturers at large.

"It requires an even greater cooperation with stakeholders such as MAN. I believe this is what the agency is working on now and we will certainly support any effort in this regard.”

He added: “SON has built capacity, they have incorporated new technology in their work, but also the challenges in the ports have increased and with the signing of the AfCFTA there will be more challenges that would be facing SON. I think returning SON to the ports is something we should look at.”

According to him, plans are ongoing to sign a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SON which would enable both parties to work more extensively, while also addressing issues confronting the manufacturing sector.

“The MoU would address all issues as they arise in a continuous basis, because it is not something we can do once and forget about, we will be interfacing SON continuously and therefore, we need to find a framework which will be provided by the MoU that will enable us to resolve issues as they come without creating challenges to operators or regulators,” he said.

“This is a meeting we should have had a very long time ago. The importance of this meeting to MAN is very clear where we now have a basis to understand the objective and requirements of SON with regards to ensuring continuous quality of products not just for the ones manufactured locally, but also imported, because this ensures a market that we can compete effectively.

"We have had for too long substandard goods being imported into the country which does lots of harm to our economy and specifically to our operations in the sector and I think with this kind of collaboration and cooperation with the regulator and the industry.

"I believe that the possibility of reducing the importation of substandard goods would be brought down to the barest minimum,” he said.

The Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, said the meeting was aimed at safeguarding the local manufacturers to achieve accelerated industrial development, saying that SON and MAN’s robust relationship have spun over the years.

He pointed out that the standards body is also working with MAN as a team to protect the manufacturing sector against the influx of substandard products.

He said going forward, any importer who abuse the import permit given to manufacturers to import raw materials and machinery for local production would be answerable to SON.

Aboloma added: “Like every other sectors, there are bound to be bad eggs who take advantage of loopholes by importing finished products instead of raw materials and machinery. We have also agreed that anybody that takes advantage of this window to import finished products instead of raw materials that we have given concession to will be answerable to us in his personal capacity, he will no longer be sheltered under the concession given to MAN.”

“Import permit is different from SONCAP that is more rigorous for people to bring in goods into the country. So when you have permit to bring in machinery or raw material, but if you bring in finished products, it is illegal whether it is substandard or quality because you have already abused the system, you are not only taking advantage of it to bring in substandard products, but also shortchanging the federal government revenue to earn foreign exchange.  

"We  have perfected plans to sign an MoU to checkmate the lacuna, fashion out definite rules of engagement between SON and members of MAN,” he said.

Air Peace Captain Debunks Report Saying Aircraft Landed Without Tyres

 

Simisola Ajibola, the captain who operated the Air Peace flight on July 23, which had nose wheel collapse, has debunked reports, saying the aircraft landed without tyres.

 

She said the incident, which took place at the international runway of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, happened after the aircraft touched down.

 

“We had a very serviceable aircraft. Our aircraft are machines that are well maintained. It wasn’t the first flight of that day. When we flew the aircraft it was perfectly in good shape.

 

“The report about initial landing without tyres is not true. The incident happened after we touched down.  I didn’t go into the air without tyres, we weren’t on a decent without tyres. Some reports say we called for emergency while in the air and that is not true. It was after we landed we asked for emergency services. So whatever happened, happened on the runway that day,” Ajibola added. 

 

However, Tunji Oketunbi, corporate communications manager, Accident Investigation Bureau, (AIB) said the bureau has begun investigation into the issue and will come up with preliminary reports soon.

“It is a cumbersome process. Some components have been retrieved from the airline to help with the investigation. So it will take some time but we are doing everything possible to ensure the report is out sooner than expected,” Oketunbi added. 

 

SON Seizes N38m Worth of Substandard Galvanised Roofing Sheets

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has stormed a ware house in Ogba area of Lagos to clamp down on a dealer who imports and produces substandard galvanised roofing sheet into the country.

The Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, represented by the Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, Engr. Obiora Manafa, said the move was to serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous importers and manufacturers who indulge in illicit trade, saying that there is no hiding place for substandard goods in the country.

Recall that the agency recently seized over N200 million worth of substandard aluminium roofing sheet in Uyo.

Manafa added that the seized galvanised roofing sheet in Lagos  is worth over N38 million, adding that SON will stop at nothing to ensure that only goods that conform to the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) are allowed to thrive in the Nigerian market.

He explained that the roofing sheets fell below the NIS 180 standard for galvanised roofing sheets which stipulates the minimum thickness for roofing sheet to be 0.15mm.

In his words, “The objective is to evacuate substandard roofing sheets from the market. We are moving all of them away for destruction. The task force were given a term of reference, but the overall mandate is to eradicate substandard products from the Nigerian market. The roofing sheets are substandard, because if you look at the standards for galvanised roofing sheet NIS 180, it stipulates the minimum thickness for the product and the minimum thickness is 0.15mm, but most of the galvanised roofing sheet we have here fall below the standard and this is what we do not want to allow into the Nigerian market.”

He said going forward, SON would go through every nook and cranny of the country raiding markets, warehouses, adding that the aim is to protect unsuspecting consumers while also adding value for hard earned money spent on purchasing goods.

“If you use this kind of roofing sheet for your structure, any little wind would destroy it and this is what we do not want to encourage. So, we are appealing to all Nigerians especially importers and our local manufacturers also to stick to the NIS 180. We have valued this one to be around N38 million and we are still going to seize more. This campaign is ongoing to continue in the country. We are appealing to everybody not to waste their money buying substandard goods, because if you continue dealing with this product, SON will seize and destroy them. We are not happy we are destroying these products because it is a loss to the economy, but we have to protect Nigerians which is our primary responsibility,” he said. 

We want consumers to have value for any money they spend on buying products. Some of these substandard were imported and manufactured locally and we are seizing all of them because they failed to meet the specific requirement of the NIS. For aluminium sheets, if the standard is below 0.4, we will seize and destroy them. We are doing all of this to safe the local producers of quality goods and we also do not want these unscrupulous people bringing in this product to underprice our local manufacturers and if this happens, they will not make money and lay off their workers. This is why we are fighting tooth and nail to eradicate substandard goods in the country,” he stressed.

He said the seized goods where smuggled in because they do not have SONCAP certificate, saying products such as this must not come into the country unchecked.

“Our Independent Accreditation Firms (IAFs) who we appointed to do inspection activities on our behalf must have tested them and ensure that they comply to the standards. Even if they beat us at the port, we will go after them in the markets and warehouses to look for them. Right here in the warehouse, we have conducted a lot of test on these products, we have our micrometer screw gauges which we use to check the thickness. 

We cannot do this alone, this is why we work with sister agencies and intelligent surveilance units to gather information about how to get these products before they enter into the countr,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Surveillance Intelligence and Monitoring Unit (SIM), Suleiman Isa, said the goods would be destroyed and recycled, pointing out the enforcement exercise would be a national activity.

“We have succeded in loading the substandard products and we are about to take them to our warehouse. The next line of action is destruction and recycling which will be determined by the management of SON. 

This is going to be a national activity and it is going to be happening on a continuous basis. We are also using this opportunity to advise all importers and even the local manufacturers to ensure that they meet the minimum requirements of the standards for these products. Failure to do this, their products will be seized and destroyed,” he said.

“We have been carrying out sensitisation programmes to enlighten people on the dangers of substandard products, but the issue is that people go for inferior products because of the price and at the end of the day the cheap products are not cheap, but expensive,” he stressed. 

 

SON, Customs Bicker Over Products Examination At Ports

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has stated that the directive by the Federal Government that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) should always invite it for the daily cargo examination at the various terminals at the nation’s sea-ports, has not been compiled with.

Indeed, stakeholders interested in the matter have urged SON to take the matter up with to the federal government, adding that the refusal by NCS to carry along SON during inspection of products at the ports affects the ease of doing business mantra of the federal government.

This has reportedly led officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to continually lay ambush for containers that have already being cleared out of the ports and released by the customs. Already, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed shock at the development, noting that the action has led to the incessant stoppage of containers on the highways,

The LCCI, through its Director General, Muda Yusuf, noted that it was improper for the operatives of SON to be intercepting containers on the highways on account of some fees or charges that have not been settled by importers.It also argued that “where there were outstanding charges to be paid to SON or issues about SONCAP compliance, such matters should be dealt with before the container leaves the port”.

Justifying its action, SON had alleged that the Nigeria Customs Service has failed to invite its personnel for examination of containers, hence its decision to intercept containers after they are released at the ports.

An official however told The Guardian that, SON has been permanently shut out of the statutory cargo examination. He equally denied that SON had seized any container after inspection on the highways.The public Relations Officer (PRO) of Apapa Command of Customs; Nkeiruka Nwala, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs had defended the agency’s action saying the service cannot invite the Standards Organisation of Nigeria for cargo examination, because SON is no domiciled in the ports.

Nwala said that for cargoes that require the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) certificate, men of the Nigeria Customs Service have always demanded that from importers, even before duties on the cargoes are collected.

She said: “SON is not domiciled in the ports, it’s just like saying that items that require end-user and then you say that the officials at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) that customs should be inviting them”

“If they (importers) have any document they are supposed to provide from such before cargo examination, they go to SON on their own, it has nothing to do with Customs. If they are importing items that require SON certification, they go on their own to get the certification.

“So if you don’t have it (certification), we will send you back to SON. So the work of SON is not about examination, it is product certification. So customs cannot be inviting SON; for what? It is a certification and documentary thing”, she insisted.

According to her “But if for any reason SON now have an import that they suspect the certification process or anything, all they need to do is to send a message via the NICIS 2 platform and notify that they have interest in a container that is it.”

“If an importer or his agent imported an item that requires SONCAP, we all have a list of items that require SONCAP we only ask the importer to bring the certificate, they are part of the documents you must provide”, she explained.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has however advised the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to report the Nigeria Customs Service to the Vice President, if the service fails to invite them for examination of cargoes at seaport.

According to the Director General of LCCI, Yusuf interception of containers on the roads would affect ease of doing business policy of the federal government urging the organisation to report the NCS to the Vice President who is in charge of implementing the policy ease of doing business at the seaports

Air Peace Chairman pledges support for late Chris Iwara’s family …Eku community, friends, others paid glowing tributes

The Chairman of Nigerian leading airline, Air Peace Limited, Mr Allen Onyeama said the company will ensure the family of the late Mr. Chris Iwara, the airline’s former Corporate Communication Manager who died on June 7th in a ghastly motor accident at Mangoro area of Dopemu along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway in Lagos is adequately catered for. 

Mr. Allen described the death of Chris as one of the saddest day in his life and explained that staff of the airline are finding it hard to come to term with the demise of the ex spokesman whom he described as a consummate lawyer, journalist and cooperate communication expert who worked tirelessly to positively project the image of the airline.

The Air Peace Chairman, while speaking at the burial ceremony of the late Chris in his home town, Eku in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta state on Saturday recounted how he received the sad news from his wife on the fateful day and rushed back to Lagos from his home town in Anambra state to coordinate the medical service been given to his spokesman affirming that the company was planning to immediately to fly Mr  Chris Iwara abroad for further treatment before he gave up the ghost.

In an emotional laden speech, the Air Peace Chairman, who led a delegation of over 50 members of staff of the airline to the burial ceremony said he has lost a dependable ally and disciplined soldier who always stand for justice, fairness and equality among staff irrespectively of tribe, religion and position.

Mr. Allen, who is the Chairman of Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, said “l am yet to see a young man with the quality of my wonderful late friend, Chris. He is one whom l delegates multiple tasks to and goes to sleep knowing that those assignments are done deals. He exudes passion for whatever you commit into his hands to carry out. He was super intelligent, a hard worker, multi-skilled, extremely dedicated”.

He said “l close from work by 2.am and each time l look through my cameras, l see Chris still moving from one office to the other at such time just to make sure that everything is going according to plan even those outside the  purview of his office. If there is one thing l admired most about him, it is his fearlessness, he is a soldier who takes the bullets for the company most times, he looks at me and tells me, Mr. Chairman, with all due respect Sir, l disagree with you on this and this is the way l think we have to do this things and always, his suggestions and advice are right”

According to Mr. Allen, “on that fateful day, l was already preparing to fly Chris oversea for the best medical services he could get anywhere, but God knows best, we cannot question him. I will ensure his family gets the best of support in life and l will lend supports to anything that Chris represents.”

He added that Nigeria has lost an upwardly mobile, fearless and courageous future leader whose interest in championing justice for the oppressed and less privilege and victimized members of the society is legendary.

In his tribute, Editor of Guardian Newspaper Limited, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo said few youth with the sterling quality of the late Chris Iwara exist in Nigeria just as he said he lack words to describe his present feelings.

Mr. Ogbodo, who spoke on behalf of Atamu Social Club of Nigeria, a foremost social cultural group of the Urhobo nation said “the late Chris was a son to me; a bright and shining star has been shot down, the Urhobo nation has just lost one of its brightest rising stars. Eku town has lost its best advocate and defender while the Atamu has been denied a versatile and irreplaceable son and leader”.

He added that “Chris was a Nigerian who fight for and defend the oppressed and a voice for the downtrodden. The Legal profession will miss one of its finest breeds while the media profession; the Baptist church will also miss its best hand, devout and staunch disciple of Christ. But Heaven just gained an Angel and what wisdom and fortitude have mere mortals like us to question the deeds of the Almighty God?

Mr. Ogbodo affirmed that “the late Chris Iwara is a rare breed, an irreplaceable and indescribable genius, a man of many parts. A young man full of life and energy: no one dare make imputations or conjectures to belittle him or infringes his rights or those around him yet he is the most gentle and respectful young man you will ever come across”

The occasion witnessed outpouring of glowing tributes from colleagues at Air Peace, families and members of the Eku community, colleagues in the legal and media professions as well as church members, childhood friends and beneficiaries of scholarship awards the late Chris championed for indigent Urhobo students in various tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

The officiating minister Reverend D Unuse described death as a debt every one owe his or maker and prayed for grace for the Iwara family to bear the lost of their son.

The Air Peace Chairman, the company Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, Chief of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Ejiroghene Eghagha and Head, Transcorp Hilton Group Nigeria, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo in company of the airline staff also paid a condolence visit to the parent of the late Air Peace image maker, Chief Solomon and Mrs. Rose Iwarah in their family compound along the old Sapele road.

Youth Development: Dana Air Partners Soccer Stars ProjectTM with Samson Siasia

As part of its commitment to youth and sports development in Nigeria, Dana Air has announced its partnership with soccer stars projectTM with Nigeria’s ex international, Samson Siasia, scheduled to commence from July 15 to Aug.15.

The project which is scheduled to hold across 13 states of the federation: Lagos, Rivers, Abuja, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Kano, Plateau, Abia, Delta, Sokoto, Imo and Plateau is aimed at discovering and promoting young talented football stars in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa said, Dana Air’s commitment to youth and sports development in Nigeria is unwavering. 

As you know, we are proud sponsors of two Nigerian Professional league teams – Akwa United fc of Akwa Ibom and Heartland fc of Imo state for the second year running and our sponsorship is just our contribution towards making the league glamorous and keeping the players motivated.’’

‘’Our partnership with the soccer stars project  is a good opportunity to take a lot of our talented football stars off the streets and empower them with good contracts as Fifa accredited agents will also be around to select from the pool of soccer stars abound in Nigeria.’’

 The former Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach, Samson Siasia, while commenting on his reason for the project said, ‘’the primary  aim is to groom talents in soccer with first hand opportunity to be signed by international scouts.

'Pre-screening exercise has commenced in some local governments and our desire is to search for upcoming players or professional footballers who can join the European league side on an automatic contract deal signing. ‘’

He noted that the trials which will be held across 13 states from July to August, will consist of several game practices and exercises designed to show the players’ range of ability, skills, speed and athleticism.  

Dana Air, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines; is the first domestic airline  in Nigeria to unveil a mouth watering sponsorship deal for two Nigerian professional league sides – Akwa united fc and Heartland fc of Owerri.

The airline is reputed for its innovative online products and services, superior on-time departures and word –class in-flight service.

SON clarifies position on picketing by AUPCTRE

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has clarified its position on allegations by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) following which the Union picketed the SON Corporate Headquarters Abuja.

Addressing newsmen during the picketing, SON Head, Public Relations, Bola Fashina disclosed that it is the union rather than SON that was disrespecting the directive from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, which clarified the jurisdictional scope of the two Unions in SON. 

The Ministry clarified that AUPCTRE is to unionise the junior staff while the  staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) does the same for senior staff,  he said.

The SON spokesman alluded to the payment of 20 per cent of staff total emoluments as part of the Conditions of Service (CoS) since 2017 in addition to other welfare packages like group life insurance and provision of consumables during festivities among others. 

Fashina stated that the Management found it necessary to inform the staff of the clarification from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for proper guidance on the exercise of their rights of association. 

He said “arrears of salaries owed staff employed in 2016 was 11 months which now remains only 2months to be paid. It has been appropriated in the 2019 budget and will soon be paid by the Federal Government through the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) as stated recently by Accountant General of the Federation”.

On contract awards for general sensitization, he stated that the programmes followed an identified gap in the organisation’s reach out to stakeholders, stressing that they are appropriated; the awards follow the requirements of the procurement act. 

They are also complementary to the regular activities of the SON State Offices in educating sectoral stakeholders, Fashina said.

The SON Spokesman stated that issues of secondment of officers between Government organisations are provided for in the Public Service Rules, emphasising that the organisation is within extant provisions.

Commenting on purported promotion of staff within months of employment,  he emphasised that graduates of between 15 to 20years wrongly employed on CONRAISS 7 and 8 were advanced based on their qualifications and requisite experiences.

He stressed that due process was followed with the concurrence of the Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment secured in the absence of the SON Governing Council in place then.

On the way forward, Fashina stated that Management has extended its hand of fellowship to the AUPCTRE to dialogue towards arriving at a consensus. 

This he said includes invitation to Union representatives to take their place in a Committee set up to harmonise the two versions of existing CoS from 2012 and 2016.

According to him, letters were dispatched to the National President of AUPCTRE with copy to the FCT branch and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment inviting the union to the negotiating table. The meeting held for on Wednesday,  May 15, 2019 at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The FCT branch of AUPCTRE, led by Comrades Aliyu Maradun, Chairman and Sikiru Waheed, Secretary mobilized its members to disrupt activities at the SON Headquarters,  Abuja.

Addressing the Press the Labour leaders accused the SON Management of disrespecting a directive from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on voluntarism, coerssion and harrassment of their members in SON.

Their other grouses include:
- request for immediate approval of CoS
- promotion of some staff from CONRAISS 8 to 10, 7 to 11 within months of their resumption 
- immediate payment of outstanding salary arrears of staff employed in 2016 and 2018 promotion arrears
- immediate return of all Officers on Directorate Cadre on secondment to SON and 
- Independent review of contracts for nationwide Stakeholders sensitization workshops.