DESTROYS LPG CYLINDERS, ROOFING SHEETS

Osita Aboloma, DG, SON

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says in responding to the Federal Government’s efforts to boost food security is developing  standards for the animal and livestock feeds value chain in the country.

The Standards were also developed to counter the adverse effects of Covid 19 pandemic on key sectors such as agriculture through its increased implementation of Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).

Speaking at the Work Group meeting hosted virtually in Lagos,  the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma said the   Working Group meeting on the development of six Standards would boost Agribusiness in the country.

The virtual meeting  was hosted by SON  as part of an ongoing   Livestock Micro Reforms in Agribusiness (L-MIRA) World bank project on Cattle Feed Value Chain incollaboration with  SON.

Aboloma, represented by Deputy Director/Head Food Group, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Omolara Okunlola explained that Standards development was achieved through a consensus of relevant parties and academics coming together to elaborate standards for various sectors of the economy.

Aboloma said the efforts  was focused on the development of standards in the livestock sector and over the years.

According to Aboloma, the Standards considered by the Work Group were borne out of an urgent demand and relevance of the Standards to the animal/ livestock feeds value chain with the work group specifically working on the following vital areas to boost agribusiness in the country: –

He said elaboration of the Standards for Salt Mineral Lick which prescribes the specification for common salt as mineral licks for animal consumption by ensuring proper proportioning as well as improving the adequate amount of minerals for effective productivity in animals.

The SON boss said other requirements specified was that of Blood Meal as an ingredient in Fish Meal production to ensure adequacy in meeting the protein requirements in fish farming.

He said such feats would  assist the feed manufacturers in compounding balance, protein ration and  guide  fish farmers in the selection of appropriate feed and feed ingredients.

Aboloma said the elaboration of the Standard for Small Ruminant Feed was also established.

According to him, the Standards will guide feed manufacturers in compounding balanced ratios for Small Ruminant’s such as goats and sheep feeds.

“It will enhance meat and dairy in small ruminant production thereby contributing to the country’s gross domestic product in Agribusiness.  While the elaboration of Standard for Small Ruminant Feed Premix was found necessary as small ruminants (sheep and goats) are increasingly becoming major sources of animal protein recently contributing over 30% of total meat supply in the country.

“The standard is therefore to guide Premix manufacturers in compounding premixes for Small ruminant’s feed and also Feed millers’/ livestock farmers in deciding the kind of Premixes that suits a small ruminant’s requirement in enhancing sheep and goat production,”he said

LPG CYLINDERS

In a related development, SON has destroyed substandard LPG Cylinders, roofing and aluminum sheets worth over N450 million

A breakdown of the products which SON said were imported from China and Turkey, includes; 4×40 containers of LPG Cylinders of various sizes, 15 rolls of aluminum roofing sheets, and 15 bundles of fake corrugated roofing sheets.

Speaking to Journalists at the destruction site (SON Warehouse, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos), Director General of the Standards Organization of Nigeria, Osita Aboloma, represented by Director, Compliance and Inspectorate , Engr. Obiora Manafa said the products were seized mostly in warehouses across Lagos State.

In his words “The products were sized due to non compliance to standards, failing of SON’s laboratory test and not having SONCAP certificates , which means that they are fake, not approved by SON for importation into Nigeria and not fit for use.”

According to him, destruction of the products is the only option available to SON, saying if the products are allowed to get into the market they would constitute serious danger to the lives of Nigerians.

“These products being destroyed today (yesterday) by SON have failed our laboratory test, as such they are substandard and dangerous to users. We are not happy destroying peoples goods, because it cost huge money, but we cannot compromise to save money and endanger the lives Nigerian citizens”

On how the product came into the country, he said: “Most of these products were discovered through SON raiding of warehouses and were found to be substandard. They did not come with SONCAP. And as you know SON is not in the ports , so it is difficult to really know from which source , seaports or border posts. Most of them , when we raid their warehouses, they will abandoned the goods and flee, no documents to show from which port they really came from”. Also, the suspects disappear once we intercept the products, but we continue investigation to arrest them.

Manafa disclosed that after the destruction of the products, they will be sold to recycling firms and the proceeds remitted to the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).