The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has warned against the production and importation of substandard aluminum and roofing sheets, saying defaulters risk prosecution.
The warning was delivered by the director general of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke at a stakeholders’ forum for roofing sheets held on Friday in Lagos with the theme: “Boosting the building industry value chain with standard roofing sheets.”
The DG, represented by SON Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Talatu Ethan, said the move has become urgent with the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government which requires the prioritization of locally made goods and services.
“We have intensified market surveillance exercise in the building material sector. We have carried out several raids and initiated prosecution where necessary to serve as deterrent,” he said.
The DG said roofing sheets are not just construction materials, “they are the final protective barriers that improve the durability, efficiency and beauty of any building”
Dr Okeke added: “Whether in urban centres or rural communities, roofing remains a defining investment that one should never play with. It should deliver peace of mind to homeowners, developers and infrastructural investors.”
He said SON is alert on its mandate of developing standards that improves the quality of products and services in Nigeria. This, he said, is achieved by developing the parameters for manufacturers in the production of products and services.
In his remark, the director general of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir represented by Mr Joseph Imoleke, said manufacturers are exceptionally patriotic. He said because of their love for creating jobs through manufacturing, they ignore sectors with quick returns on investments for manufacturing.
“Kudos to manufacturers. I commend your effort. I am not here to start mentioning the problems of manufacturing in this country, we all know it. But why I am so enthusiastic is because you have seen other sectors of the economy where you can make good money, yet, you still say no,” he said.
He said producers of substandard roofing sheets are not their members, arguing that members of MAN are rigorously vetted before being admitted into the group.
“This issue also came up in our thematic group. I beg to differ, because in mine, we have over 3,500 members. And the process of becoming a member is very, very cumbersome. So, I want to let members here know that you hardly find members of mine that produce substandard goods.”
He called for a tight border security to stop the infiltration of substandard products into the country.
A representative of the Association of Secondary Aluminum Producers, Mr Clement Igbejionu said roofing sometimes fail not because of substandard materials, but poor carpentry. He said his association interface with roofers and carpenters to upscale their skills on the right roofing processes and procedures.
Technical papers around the theme: “Boosting the building Industry value chain with standard roofing sheets,” were delivered by experts, including Engr Idachi Ega, Head, Mechanical Group at SON, Mr Ushaheba Sambe of Chemical Technology Standard department at SON, Samuel Ayuba, a director who was represented by Akinbade Abiola and Theresa Ojomo, head of Lagos region.
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