Following the celebration
of the world Standards Day at the weekend, traders have called on the Federal Government to step up action in the area of production and material importation into the country.
A motor spare parts dealer in Port Harcourt, Mr Stanley Aja-Amadi who spoke with our reporter last weekend, said it was disappointing to note that sub-standard products still pass under the Federal Government’s watch into the country.
He said if the Federal Government and its agencies could step up action a little, the issue of sub-standard products in Nigerian markets would be over.
Aja-Amadi noted with dismay a situation where a particular sub-standard material imported into the country would be traced to one “bigman” without any sanction from the federal government. While admitting the task in product monitoring, he said agencies like the Customs, are only out for profit maximization.
The businessman, regretted why the country could still serve as a dumping ground after its claim to be the giant of Africa.
On his part, the Managing Director of Prisco Limited, Chief Princewill Igwe, blamed the situation on what he decribed as ‘poverty mebntality.’
He pointed out that some importers would give their manufacturers in Europe or any part of the world a special cheap design of any product or material of their choice with a  view to making more money.
Igwe, maintained that until such mental trait was discouraged among the business class, the war against sub-standard materials may not be won.
As a way forward, he advised the Federal Government, to introduce capital punishment to importers of fake products saying that it would automatically check the situation.
According to him, countries like Lebanon could possibly grant pardon to a known murderer than a businessman who cheated with the least unit/measurement.
Meanwhile, he has called on the federal government, to also look at the development of the local industries as to help in regulating the influx of sub-standard goods into Nigeria.