Iron dealers union accuses SON of complicity, demands prosecution of African Steels Ltd
Maureen Aguta
The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) have called for the dissolution of the current management of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for allegedly allowing sellers of substandard iron products to return to their shops to continue business as usual after they had allegedly paid bribes to some officials of the agency.
The union had cited concerns over the agency’s perceived ineffectiveness in curbing the circulation of substandard products in the Nigerian market.
In a press statement signed by the National President of the Union, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, the Iron Rod Distributors Union expressed strong dissatisfaction with SON’s handling of substandard products, particularly in the iron rod and steel industry.
The union claims 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.
The iron dealers union, in the statement commended SON for taking decisive action against the manufacturer, emphasising the importance of upholding quality standards in the industry.
However, the union called on the Federal Government to prosecute the erring manufacturer to the full extent of the law, noting that it was not the first time African Steel Ltd would be sealed, just to be reopened shortly and they would continue substandard production.
“We commend the SON for sealing up of one the biggest steel rolling mills in the country – African Steel Ltd, Ikorodu which is also the parent company of African Foundries Ltd, Ikorodu and Abuja Steel Ltd. We note that this is not the first time the errant company would be caught in the act, but the inability of Federal Government to prosecute erring manufacturers have made ceremonial rituals of sealing them up unyielding.
“It is worthy of emphasis, that there is no justification for not prosecuting the steel rolling company as a deterrent for others whom have continued to expose Nigeria to risks of substandard products, especially in the manufacturing sector. It has caused this nation so much in life and fortune and still portends even greater hazards to infrastructure and public safety.
“However, as a Union, it would be our assumption that the influence of the Managing Director of the Abuja Steel Ltd – an affiliate of African Steel Ltd, been a former Director-General of SON is at play, if again, the company is not prosecuted after several times of sealing the company as a warning against continued production of substandard steel products. However, if SON fails to do the needful in accordance with provision of the law and open the company without prosecution, IRSDEUN will challenge such inaction in court. Because we have samples of substandard products of these companies as distributors, with their names created on them and are substantial evidence that can be tendered against them in court”, the statement added.
The distributors emphasised that quality control was paramount in the construction industry, and any compromise in standards can have far-reaching consequences.
They urged the government to send a strong message to manufacturers who flout regulations and endanger the integrity of their products.
“The sealing of African Steel Ltd serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regulatory oversight in ensuring the quality and safety of construction materials, as industry stakeholders, we stand united in our support of SON’s actions and are hopeful that this will be taken further to serve as a deterrent to others in the industry.”