By Gabriel Olawale

Nigeria Ball Point Pen Industries PLC, NIPEN, makers of BIC shaving stick has accused an Onitsha-based company (name withheld) of faking its products alleging that the company has lost several millions of naira, forcing it to relieve several workers of their jobs.

This came on the heels of a report by Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau of International Chamber of Commerce and Industries that counterfeit goods made up five per cent to seven per cent of World Trade between 2007 and 2009.

Briefing journalists in Lagos on the development, Namal Sales Manager, NIPEN Plc Ikeja, Mr. Olasore Fatai alleged that the company pushed a minimum of 26 to 30 million units of fake BIC shaving sticks into Nigerian market with its network across the country.

According to him, the company had continued to depend on importation of finished fake BIC shaving sticks which had made it more difficult to track it for seizure by the authorities.

Lamenting the economic effect of the activities of faking company on NIPEN, Fatai disclosed that information at NIPEN’s disposal revealed that between April and July this year, the company had resumed its activities in some markets in Lagos including Ketu, Idumota, Okokomaiko Trade fair, and Agege area of Lagos.

“They are also in Onitsha, Oba, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Aba, Ibadan and Benin, just to mention but a few. This had led to loss of several millions of naira by the company.

“As a local manufacturer, we give employment to hundreds of employees and increase the GDP, Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria whereas the activities of this fake and fraudulent importer constitute a threat to our country,” he added.

On the implications on NIPEN’s image, Fatai, narrated how a costumer from Enugu metropolis called the company to relay his awful experience having fallen victim to adulterated and substandard BIC shaving stick.