The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), says it would work with state governments to shut markets with high concentration of substandard products.

Its Director-General, Dr Joseph Odumodu said in Lagos that the uncooperative attitude of some traders informed the organisation’s decision.

He said in spite of constant raids on markets to rid them of substandard products, many traders still defied the law and continually stocked their shops with inferior products.

Odumodu expressed optimism that the partnership with state governments would go a long way to tackle trading in substandard products.

Reports say that the remark came on the heels of SON’s sensitisation programme in major Nigerian cities of Abuja, Lagos, Aba, Awka and Port Harcourt to educate traders on the need to deal in quality products.

The director-general said SON would no longer watch helplessly as unpatriotic traders frustrated the Federal Government’s fight against the production of inferior quality goods.

“Any market that does not cooperate and collaborate with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria will be closed down immediately.

“We are already starting the process of reaching out to various governors of the states because it’s not going to be fair to come into somebody’s domain and take an action that may lead to a misunderstanding between the Federal Government and any state government.

“I think the message is out and clear to market dealers and Nigerians; when you want to buy products from importers, insist on certain items because we don’t want anybody to run foul of the law.

“If you run foul of the law, you will pay for running foul of the law and we want everybody to be protected.’’

According to him, the organisation’s new drive is to collaborate with traders at the local markets to bring its new initiative of ridding the markets of sub-standard products to fruition.

He said the move was aimed at preventing the local production, importation and circulation of substandard product, tagged, “Zero tolerance to substandard products initiative’’.

He said SON would ensure that the circulation of substandard products was reduced and a level playing field for locally manufactured and quality imported products created before December 31.

Odumodu affirmed that the Federal Government had strengthened the organisation to protect people from the dangers of substandard products.

He lamented that substandard products cost Nigeria a significant number of avoidable deaths and unquantifiable losses in property and goods.

He attributed the rising incidences of building collapse, food poisoning, fire outbreaks in homes and markets, road accidents, and other sad incidents to use of substandard products.

“A critical check will reveal that each of us here must have been affected directly or indirectly in the various deaths and losses associated with the distribution and use of substandard products.’’