SON, others move to address false declaration of cargoes

To further check the influx of sub-standard goods in the country, key stakeholders in the maritime industry have pledged their support to collaborate with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to address the issue of false declaration of cargoes at the nation’s point of entry.

The stakeholders said false declaration by some importers is one of the ways by which substandard goods find their ways into the shores of the country.

They said at a one-day national stakeholders’ sensitization forum, for maritime operators in Lagos, entitled, ‘‘Collaborations as tool for zero sub-standard imports” that they would work with SON to reduce the influx of substandard products.The Vice President, ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto, said: ‘‘we are going to say no to clearing of substandard goods. For instance, if your bill of lading is containing fridges and at the point of examination, we realise it is not carrying fridges.

‘‘It is my responsibility as a patriotic citizen to invite SON to show that the consignment does not meet the specifications or guidelines despite having SONCAP. This is the only way we can stamp out substandard products in our society.’’

‘‘We would also sensitise our members so that whenever they see something, they must say something. We must make sure that they do not clear substandard products out of our ports. We are the middlemen between the importers and the trading public so if we assist in clearing these goods, we would not know who will be injured by these goods tomorrow. We encourage our importers to get their SONCAP,’’ he said.

The President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Increase Uche, added that combating the preponderance of fake and substandard goods cannot be achieved without the support of all stakeholders, pointing out that cooperation must be established between SON and other government agencies, greater cooperation between the agency, freight forwarders and the importing public.

He assured that NAGAFF has always thrown its weight in support of the activities of the SON through its public policy advocacy and information service.

‘‘We are also aware of the menace of smuggling activities predominately carried out through the border entry points which most times hampers the operation of the Agency.

“It has always been our view that collaboration, partnership, cooperation and synergy amongst the relevant stakeholders must be sustained in achieving zero substandard imports and other trade malpractices in our Seaports, Airports, Land Borders and the overall Logistics Supply Chain.

“Regrettably, the major constraint that hinders adequate check against this nefarious act in the entire system has been the lack of collaboration among critical stakeholders,’’ he said.

He pointed out that collaborations would help to identify and mitigate risk, help to quicken the process of accomplishing inherent task, lead to both timely and appropriate decisions and moral support, as well as promoting inter agency cooperation and reduce overlap of agency functions.

Earlier, the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma stated that there was no better way to sensitize the industry than to collaborate with key players who have direct dealings with the importers.

Aboloma who was represented by the Director, Inspectorate and Compliance (ICD), Obiora Manafa said 80 per cent of Nigerian imports come through the seaports and waterways and it will therefore be difficult to ignore the maritime sector operators in the quest for zero-import of sub-standard and unwholesome products in furtherance of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative.He further described the forum as an avenue for adequate stakeholders’ enlightenment on SON’s regulatory tools and requirements and to disabuse their minds of negative issues relating to the Organisation’s enforcement of quality and regulations.

‘‘SON’s continued advocacy is to reduce substantially, seizure and destruction of goods, which are injurious to human lives, amount to large economic and financial losses and a threat to our environment.Our greatest challenge with cargo clearance is that of false declaration by clearing agents”, he added.

Assistant Director, SONCAP, Pious Maji, said the influx of substandard products can be best controlled by effective collaboration with stakeholders in the industry, pointing out that key stakeholders in the maritime industry have agreed to work with SON as a team to salvage Nigeria from being a dumping ground for substandard products.