By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Some cloned made in Nigeria substandard electrical cables were recently intercepted by officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State.
The seized products were worth over N8 billion, according to the standard’s agency.
The cables were cloned versions of 20 popular Nigerian brands and shipped from China into the country.
They were discovered in two residential buildings in the area following a tip off.
Director-General of SON, Mr Osita Aboloma, while conducting journalists round the premises on Monday, noted that the cables were imported by one Estobest Electrical Limited, adding that the company targeted and cloned Nigerian made cables already certified by the agency in deceptive packages.
Mr Aboloma, represented by the Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, Mr Bede Obayi, pointed out that the agency had made some progress in the area of sanitising the nation’s cable market, adding that dubious importers were trying to cash in on that achievement by going overseas to clone Nigerian made cables adjudged to be the best in the world.
“All these cloned cables were made in China, but packaged as made-in-Nigeria products.
“You know we are proud of made-in-Nigeria cables, because they are about the best cables in the world. This illegal act will not be accepted; we are going to go after the importer and prosecute him,” he said.
“Nobody can imagine someone coming down here to fully stock two buildings with substandard cables. These are purported to be Nigerian brands but made in China.
“Some Nigerian companies are laying off staff because of low sales. Because the government has now focused on promoting quality made in Nigeria products, these people now go abroad to fake Nigerian products already certified by the SON.
“Those behind it will be made to face the full wrath of the law, because it is a clear case of fraud,” Mr Aboloma added.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Dipo Olowookere