MANUFACTURERS and assemblers of automotive battery in the country have called the attention of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to increasing influx of imported substandard batteries to the country.
Speaking during the presentation of MAN Conformity Assessment Programme (MAN CAP) certificate to a manufacturer of automotive battery, Forgo battery limited in Ilorin on Tuesday, Managing Director of the outfit, Joseph Offorjama, called for an urgent intervention of the regulating agency to rid Nigerian market of fake batteries.
Offorjama, who described the development as alarming, said that the substandard and fake automotive batteries give no value to users and may force manufacturers to close shops.
He said that the menace of substandard batteries was a major threat to battery manufacturers and assemblers, who he said added value to the nation’s economy through revenue generation, job creation and manufacturing of products which, he said, complied with laid down standards of the SON.
“We see a serious threat because of the influx of substandard batteries into the country. Substandard products are a threat to the economy as people waste hard earned money to buy these products. Some of us that are playing by the rules are being pushed to close shop soon,” he said.
He also said that the manufacturers of automotive battery had written a letter to notify the SON, adding that they were waiting for prompt action from the regulating agency to rid Nigerian market of fake batteries through raid among other measures.
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The member of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN) commended SON for ensuring that products manufactured in Nigeria compete in quality with best brands in the world, saying that it should sustain its resolve to make manufacturers adopt best practices and their products comply with Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS).
Also speaking, Kwara State Director of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Esther Okon, said that use of locally manufactured goods would prevent the country from being used as a dumping ground, adding that consumers’ confidence would be boosted.
“It is will also guide against youth unemployment as these companies serve as employers of labour,” he said.
Reacting to the alarm raised by the battery manufacturers, the SON director said that the director general of SON was looking deeply into the matter, adding that he would brief Nigerians on it later on.
“Use of bad batteries will affect the engines of automobiles. That is why SON will always collaborate with companies like Forgo that are certified. There’s need to patronize locally made goods. There is no two ways about it, Nigerians had to patronize locally manufactured products that are certified.
“We emphasize on that certification. It is what gives us the power to urge customers to patronize them. It means we have adequately monitored the products and ensured that they keep to the relevant Nigerian industrial standards in their production processes.
We are here today to celebrate with Fogo Battery Company Limited because indeed, it has done well. The objective of the MAN Conformity Assessment Programme (MAN CAP) is to ensure that locally manufactured products in Nigeria meet up with the relevant Nigerian industrial standards (NIS) to ensure that manufacturers are protected against counterfeiting and unfairly practices in the market.
“It also ensures that consumers are protected against unsafe and substandard products in the market and it also prevents against dumping of unsafe products into Nigeria. It gives consumers confidence that locally manufactured products in Nigeria are safe and will meet the intended use.
“The four brands of 14 products certified have met with NIS. The presentation of the certificate is to tell the consumers that these products are fit for public use”, he said.
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