By Helen Ovbiagele, Woman Editor

Mention ‘mobile phones’ and your hearer is bound to have some complaints. It’s either constant poor network service, rip-off charges,  or poor quality phones.

“Madam, do we have any official body controlling the quality of gsm phones or the services being rendered by the service providers in this country?  It’s news to me to read that it’s the responsibility of either S.O.N. or the N.C.C.  If we have such bodies, why are we left at the mercy of these hawks who are only after our money?   –  Bode, Lagos.

“Has anybody ever taken the trouble to put together statistics on gsm related accidents in this country?  Most of the gsm phones they allow into our markets are not safe, and we have no experts telling our traders what to look for before bringing them in.  I too have heard of melting batteries and exploding phones.  What are the authorities going to do about that?”

“Sister Helen, you should have brought this article about unsafe mobile phones out earlier than this, and some gsm-related injuries could have been avoided. I still bear some burn marks on my hand as a result of an exploded phone.  Someone told me that I probably over-charged it.  Maybe.

It was a new handset but if you stopped charging it when it says ‘fully charged’, it would soon indicate low battery even without your using it.  I was told to buy a new battery for it.  No problem.  I bought one for five hundred naira and inserted in the set.  After two days, it exploded while I was using it, giving me some burns.  The set shattered into many pieces.  The authorities should monitor what handsets are brought in.  Thanks.  – Ifeanyi, Agege.’‘

“Madam, the rate at which used handsets flood our markets, shops and streets is alarming.  I don’t mind used items but when you have such a deluge, it’s impossible to have just the good and safe ones.  There would be no control.  What I’ve observed since sophisticated handsets came into our country, (often the used ones), is that people now prefer used handsets to new ones.

A friend who can swear by this, told me that they’re better because they’re used and tested, unlike the new ones where you have to take pot luck when you buy one.  He hadn’t had much luck with the new ones, he claimed. Neither with the used ones he’s been getting so far, because he keeps changing them, due to one fault or the other.  Shouldn’t the authorities control what handsets are brought into the country?”

“Madam Helen, I do sympathize with people who have been injured in gsm-related incidents, but if these sets are new, they should go back to the sellers and make a report.  Usually, many handsets come with a guarantee.  If the incident happens within the period of guarantee, they should go make a claim.

The trader should collect the remains of the handset and contact his/her supplier for a refund.  The problem with us in this country, is that we don’t have the patience to pursue our rights to the finish.

We prefer to complain, and then give up.  If a trader keeps getting negative reports about a particular brand of handset, he/she would inform the source he gets it from, and the source would inform the manufacturer.  The latter would then rectify what’s wrong in subsequent productions.  If they fail to do this, then it’s ‘bye bye’ to that brand.  Our importers shouldn’t bring them in any more.-   Ibrahim, Kano.”

“Ms. Ovbiagele, I hope S.O.N. and N.C.C.  read your piece and they will respond accordingly.  If you don’t hear from them, it would mean that they’re not sure what their responsibility on the subject is.  In the countries where these products are manufactured, the consumer is king.  The manufacturers know that they need the latter to exist and stay profitable in business.  In the first place they manufacture for their people what they know is safe, acceptable and affordable.  They listen to complaints (and even invite them), compensate, and make amends.

Their government is tough on shoddy products and they penalize the culprits. The authorities here cannot say that they’re ignorant of this.  It’s a shame that these very same manufacturers operate a different code for their exports to the third world.  A friend who is a laptop technician/marketer  told me that the quality of brands sent down here by Asian manufacturers is quite inferior to what they sell in their own countries or send to the western world. Isn’t it time our experts on these products prevail on the authorities to do the right thing?  –   Isaac, Ajah, Lagos.”

“Madam, we all know that Nigeria is a dumping ground for products that manufacturers dare not market in other parts of the world, particularly the developed countries.  The wonder is, why we allow it.  Can’t the regulating bodies  here assert their rights and clamp down on these inferior goods?

Having handsets blow up in one’s face is definitely bad news for our prestige as a nation, and  which should embarrass our rulers.  From my own personal experience, it isn’t necessarily the used handsets which are dangerous, but rather, it’s the very inferior new ones which are brought in from the far east.  These are supposed to be affordable to the masses.  Fine.

What the government should do, is to get together on experts here on handsets, and draw up the necessary safety rules for manufacture.  Our importers too should be made to know what types of handsets, used or new, they can bring in.  I think, generally, we’re too slack about making genuine reports that would bring about a change. We prefer to grumble.  – Thank you.  Toyin, Badagry”
We thank all those who wrote in.