The Standard
Organisation of Nigeria (SON), will from July this year, commence the enforcement of warranty policy for purchases of mobile phones made in the country.
According to the SON, about 20 per cent of mobile phones imported into the country are classified as sub-standard, saying that the more an warranty policy because necessary considering the hazards these sub-standard products posed to consumers.
The SON, through its Acting Director-General, Dr Paul Angya, stressed that from henceforth, consumers would obtain receipts and 12-months warranty on all mobile phone purchases, while all brands not registered with SON will be seized and defaulters prosecuted.
Angya, who made this declaration at a stakeholders’ forum on mobile phones and allied products in Lagos State on Wednesday, said the Federal Government was poised to ensuring the safety of users of mobile  communication gadgets through compliance to standards.
He said, “in August 2013, our enforcement team visited the computer village to address the PAPDP and CADDA on the concerns that there is increase in the influx of sub-standard phones, which has proliferated the computer village and the need for all dealers, importers to register their brand with SON for traceability and compliance with standards”.
He stated that the production information would include, the manufacturer’s name, the importing company with traceable address and identification codes, which will be made available to SON, noting that only a few of those marketers have complied with these requirements.
He warned that, “after June, 2016, all proliferators of fake and sub-standard mobile phones and accessories will be prosecuted. Customers must obtain  receipt and one year warranty on purchased phones”.
The Nigeria Telecommunication Commission (NCC), while pledging its support for SON’s directive disclosed that plans were underway to collect International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) numbers of phone brands that are sub-standard and would render such phones useless for importers and dealers.
The Technical Standards and Network Integrity Officer, NCC, Mr Kenneth Uzoekwe, stated that   most issues bordering on network were as a result of substandard phones and declared NCC will support SON to achieve its goals.