Iron Rod & Steel Distributors Employers Union, indicts SON over substandard products

By allcitynews.ng

The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) has called for the dissolution of the current management of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), citing brazen concerns over the agency’s perceived ineffectiveness in curbing the circulation of substandard products in the Nigerian market.

The National President of the Union, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, who made call also expressed strong dissatisfaction with SON’s handling of substandard products, particularly in the iron rod and steel lindustry, stressing that despite existing regulations and quality control measures, substandard iron rods and steel continue to flood the market, posing serious risks to consumers and tarnishing the reputation of legitimate distributors.

Further, he said: “It is sad to note, that in connivance with some bad eggs in SON, substandard steel producers now fake trademarks and scaling disclosures. It is evident that SON has failed in its mandate to ensure that only products that meet the necessary quality standards are allowed into the market.

“Wires are now sold for iron rods and our steel qualities so poor. The proliferation of substandard iron rods not only poses safety hazards but also undermines the integrity of our industry.”

In addition, said: ”The call for the dissolution of SON current leadership has raised questions about the agency’s effectiveness and oversight mechanisms. Critics argue that more deliberately, stringent and concerted measures by a firm and uncompromising team are needed to crack down on the production and distribution of substandard products, calling for thorough investigations and penalties for violators.

He added: “Severally, we have extended hands of fellowship to the SON leadership as distributors, to join hands with them in tackling the menace of substandard steel products.

” We have made our ways at the National Assembly which has made firm resolutions against substandard steel production but implementation of these efforts have become a mirage, as SON continues to act comfortably unperturbed even when the surge of building collapse continues to increase in Nigeria, claiming lives.”