SON SHUTS DOWN 13 FACTORIES FOR VIOLATION OF STANDARDS

13 Steel Factories Shut Down by SON for Violation

Thirteen steel factories have been shut by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), for violation of standards. This occurred following a nationwide market surveillance carried out by the oorganisation’s task force in November 2019 and January 2020 during which samples of various steel products were obtained from the open market and the companies’ facilities. The affected factories are located in Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Abia and Edo states.

The Chairman, SON Task Force on Steel, Mr Enebi Onucheyo has stated that the affected companies will remain shut till further notice. According to him, “Laboratory tests and analysis done on the samples reveal that most companies fail to meet the minimum requirements for diameter and mass per meter as provided in NIS 117:2004. These are critical parameters in the standard for reinforcement bars for concrete.”

For live rates of Dollar to Naira, check HERE

In addition, some of the companies were found to have tampered with products earlier placed on hold in their facilities by SON. An instance was the discovery of an unregistered identification mark “GE” in one of the products sampled. SON’s Director-General, Mr Osita Aboloma has stressed the need to promote quality Made-in-Nigeria products preparation for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Onucheyo has stressed that surveillance of factories would be a continuous exercise in order to further protect consumers from the dangers associated with substandard and life-endangering products.