Lament Inadequate Border Coverage/Patrol

The Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians get value for their money and enjoy every product purchased to the full as the Agency digitize its operations with  the aim of improved efficiency.

Addressing members of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria, AMJON, during a media parley, SON’s Director of Investigation and Compliance Department, ICD, Mr. Pius Lawan Manji, declared that SON as an Agency is alive to its statutory responsibilities notwithstanding the numerous challenges encumbering the Agency.

Lamenting the national inability to effectively man the over 2, 700 identified border entry points to Nigeria and the criminal, very unpatriotic conduct of some hardened businessmen who engage in dubious dealings, cutting corners and using unapproved routes to import fake and substandard items into the country; Mr. Manji said such conduct  poses a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians-which SON is determined to protect.

Speaking on plans and efforts by SON to effectively carry out its duties Manji said “We await approvals to carry out a lot of the things we have mapped out to do. Without approvals, there is not much any Agency of Government could do. It will translate to administrative recklessness for any CEO to carry out any meaningful programme or project without the requisite approvals. SON as a regulatory agency has enormous responsibilities; we are doing everything possible to ensure that we implement our mandate as directed by the federal government”

“The critical issues of funding and manpower are being handled at top levels. We need funds to implement and execute our projects. We need modern equipment to enhance our operational efficiency. Meagre as our resources are, we have been able to equip our testing laboratories fully and efforts are ongoing to do more”

The Investigation and Compliance Chief admitted that though SON has done and is doing a lot, there are areas of need such as manpower to cover not just the border posts but the nook and crannies of the extensive land mass of Nigeria.

“Employment at the federal level go through processes and procedures. SON as a government Agency with its corporate structure has its laid down processes in everything we do. The need to employ more Nigerians to strengthen the staff, improve on areas of coverage and reach has been identified and everything is been done to employ at least 10, 000 persons at different cadre. We believe this will improve our work and reduce pressure and work load on some staff” Manji said.

Manji reassured Nigerian that SON is playing a very crucial role in the import export trade.

“What SON requires is support from all to enable the Agency do more” Manji said.