By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Substandard galvanized roofing sheets and aluminum coils worth about N500 million were recently confiscated by officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Owerri and Okigwe areas of Imo State.
This was part of the agency’s onslaught on the sale and manufacture of substandard roofing sheets in the country.
It was gathered that the galvanized roofing sheets apprehended in Owerri gauged 0.125mm and 0.126mm respectively as against 0.15mm minimum value prescribed in the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS).
Similarly, at Okigwe, the impounded aluminum coils used for the manufacturing of galvanized roofing sheets showed a non-conformance of 0.35mm and 0.38mm respectively as against the 0.4mm minimum requirements of the NIS 488:2010 for aluminum coils.
Speaking on the raid of warehouses at the two locations operated by Prossy Nigeria Limited, the Director General SON, Mr Osita Aboloma, represented by Mr Dele Omolawon, the enforcement team leader revealed that on the spot tests on the galvanized roofing sheets showed that they do not meet the requirements of the NIS.
Mr Omolawon reiterated the SON Chief Executive’s resolve to rid the nation of substandard products with its focus presently on roofing sheets sector due to safety concerns and economic losses being experienced by unsuspecting Consumers of the products who have been inundating SON with myriads of complaints.
The team leader restated that the exercise was part of a nationwide surveillance program to locate and mop up substandard roofing sheets to ensure that only good quality roofing sheets that meet the minimum requirements of the NIS are displayed in the open markets or stocked in warehouses.
According him, SON wishes that Nigerian Consumers can confidently walk into an outlet, warehouse or stockist to purchase roofing sheets knowing that he will get good quality and value for money that would not put their lives and properties at risk.
He therefore enjoined Nigerians to seek expert advice when purchasing roofing sheets or visit the nearest SON office in the 36 states of the federation for advice. He also advised importers and manufacturers to adhere strictly to the standards to avoid products confiscation, destruction and possible prosecution.
On the sealed warehouses and products put on hold, Mr Omolawon stated that further investigation and testing are to be carried out following which the Management will give further directives.
Substandard products he said are subject to evacuation, destruction and prosecution of offenders in line with the SON Act 14 of 2015.
