The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has said that the government would not relent in its efforts to rid the markets of products that were harmful to Nigerians.

Dr Joseph Odumodu, the Director-General of SON, said this when he met with the Ladipo Auto spare-parts dealers’ Central Executive Committee in Lagos.

Odumodu told the committee that the government would not tolerate the sale of sub-standard tyres nor would it allow its taskforce to be molested when carrying out its legitimate duty.

“Government has a responsibility to enforce the law because it cannot put the lives of Nigerians at risk by allowing products that can cause harm.

“For now, we are particular about tyres. Take the report of FRSC, for example, that over 65 per cent of road accidents are caused by sub-standard tyres.a

“We cannot continue to put the lives of Nigerians at risk.

“We are going to all markets across the country. We have been to Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha, Enugu, and all markets will be visited,” he said.

The President of the Committee, Mr Iyke Animolu, said the committee was ready to collaborate with the organisation to regulate the influx of sub-standard tyres into the market.

“We, on behalf of the traders of Ladipo market, are promising that we will collaborate with the organisation to check the activities of the traders,” Animolu said.

He, however, appealed to SON to nib the importation of sub-standard tyres at the seaports.

“We cannot totally blame the traders, but the ports should be properly sanitised because if these goods are stopped at the ports, how will the traders get them.

“Our traders will be duly educated about this fight against sub-standard tyres and we promise to work with the organisation and the Federal Government,’’ he said.