Fidelia Okafor

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has launched investigation into suspected substandard seized Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG products imported into the country.

The Agency suspects that the products could be substandard and likely to cause collateral damage if allowed into the market.

SON impounded the six container laden with the LPG products whose value is put at about N100 million based on suspicion.

The consignment was impounded following a tip-off from the men of the Customs.

The products found in the container included gas cookers, gas cylinders of 12.5 kgs and 6kgs, as well as top burners cylinder and sittings, with the brand name “Amaze”.

According to the agency, the consignments are suspected to have been imported from China.

Director, Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate of the SON, Bede Obayi, said the consignment were brought in by a company not known to SON despite the fact that the SON logo were marked on the cylinders.

According to him, the manner of packaging and bringing in of the product raised suspicion.

He noted that with the volatile nature of LPGs, the SON had a stringent standard procedure for the importation of LPGs and its components and that non-adherence by importers portended danger for Nigerians and the country as a whole.

“When we got the information, we decided to put the products on hold for further investigation, which includes knowing the actual importer and whether the products were actually authorised by SON” he said.

Obayi said although preliminary observation has shown that the company has a brand name that is known to the agency, the importer had not shown that SON authorised the importation, saying that there is suspicion of an intention to falsify or cheat.

He said SON decided to intercept the consignments in the interest and safety of Nigerians, adding that the management of the agency would take a decision what next to do.

According to Obayi, SON is undertaking many efforts in sensitising Nigerians on substandard products generally and LPGs particularly on account of its combustible nature, and the implication of substandard ones to the lives of Nigerians and the economy. Obayi reassured Nigerians on the readiness of the agency to continue to safeguard lives and properties.