ANTI-COUNTERFEITING: Provide vital information to SON - DG SON

The Director General (DG) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Barr. Osita Aboloma has decried the menace of counterfeiting in Nigeria and its attendant effect on the economy.

He however called for synergy with stakeholders in terms of providing vital information to the agency to combat the hydra headed monster before it cripples the economy.

He said this at a training organised by Anti-Corruption Collaboration (ACC) on training on counterfeit and pirated goods at the port of entry held in Lagos, Friday.

He added that the training would afford the officers the enablement to identify fake and counterfeited products as well as help to collaborate in checking the menace in society.

Aboloma who was represented at the training by the Director of Lagos operations of SON said, “This collaboration is a very good development, it is a known fact that counterfeiting as it is, very bad for the Nigerian economy.

“Having us here today being talked to about counterfeiting and fake products across the country and how we will identify them and also collaborate in checking that menace in society couldn’t have come at better time than now.

“SOM is always here for you to ensure that standards are complied with and in the course of carrying out our responsibilities, we may come across you on the field.

“There is no SON and others, we have Nigeria and you and everything we do, we do it for the country and our fellow Nigerians and other citizens that live within our country.

Unilever Nigeria Plc, GlaxoSmithKline Plc and DIAGEO explained how the menace of counterfeiting had eaten into the fabrics of the society.

Speaking at the sideways after the training, marine police officer lauded the programmes saying it would help to facilitate easy detection of fake goods coming through the ports.

The Assistant Superintendent of Police, Balogun of the Marine department said the gains of the training were enormous to the force.

“The way the training went, if it continues, it will enlighten officers more on what to look out for in detecting counterfeit goods.

“I will pass it down to my officers on how to identify fake or counterfeit goods and this will help our operations better.