By Franklin Allli

The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, weekend, called for sanction against China, and other Asian countries where over 80 percent of substandard products come from into the country.

He also proposed death sentence for Nigerian importers trading in substandard commodities.

He made these calls at Sagamu dump site, Ogun State, where, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) set ablaze fake products worth more than N300 million seized by the agency in the last three months.

“I recommend that countries where these items are coming from should be sanctioned because it is inhuman for these kinds of products to be used in Nigeria. I also propose that merchants of substandard products should be executed because this is inhuman,” he said.

According to him, “we are poised to watch and track down people who milk the resources of the country through the import of substandard products like what we witnessed today.

“I know how much Nigerians are losing like the D-G said. This is Nigeria’s money, this is Nigeria’s wealth, and so, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan is translating policies into action and we are not going to tolerate substandard products coming into our country again as from the 15th of August.

“We have met with all stakeholders and have jointly agreed that August 15 is the deadline. Thereafter, stiffer punishments will be meted on those who trade in substandard goods. I want to assure Nigerians that by the grace of God, we shall eliminate substandard products from the country.”

The minister further said: “This destruction should send signal to those perpetrators that government will no longer tolerate this. I am here to send a strong signal to Nigeria’s trading partners and every Nigerian and businessman who perpetrating this, government will no longer allow this. On August 15, we shall ensure zero- tolerance on such products in this country.

I am here as the representative of the President to call businessmen and women to order that this would mark the end of importing substandard products into this country. The Federal Government is serious about maintaining this policy of zero-tolerance to substandard products.

In fact, the Act establishing SON is being reviewed to be amended, and after its amendment, punishment will not just stop at the point of products destruction, rather, those people who are involved must surely be prosecuted. It will go beyond getting court orders to destroy the products.”

On the level of damage to the economy, the minister noted that it has led to the death of vulnerable Nigerians, collapsed and burnt buildings, and trillions of naira lost every year to the destruction of substandard products. “That is why I say we are reviewing the Act establishing SON to incorporate stiffer penalties”.

According to SON Director-General, bilateral agreements will be signed with exporter nations to issue certificates of free use in those countries.

“They will also be required to subscribe to a re-export regime in cases of any substandard product exported to Nigeria. SON will establish market desks in all the major markets across the federation to receive complaints and intelligence reports on fake and substandard products.”