Awka – Dealers in iron rods in Anambra have called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to regulate the activities manufacturers of iron rods to check its proliferation in the markets.
The Chairman of the dealers’ association, Mr Nnaemeka Onuzuluike, made the call while speaking with newsmen during the surveillance of major markets in Awka by SON on Thursday.
Onuzuluike, who observed that 92 per cent of iron rods in the markets were locally made, said the manufacturers should be made to produce with the approved international standards.
“The companies are not sincere with their activities, the standards approved by SON are not the ones they send to us.
“We are happy that SON is here to take samples so that after the test they can trace them to the manufacturers,” he said.
Speaking after the exercise, the Head of SON in Anambra, Mr Samuel Ayuba, said the agency was determined to sanitise the markets.
Ayuba said the samples would be taken to the laboratory in Enugu and any shortfall in quality would be followed up to ensure that the company got reprimanded.
Ayuba assured the dealers that their business interest would be protected as the manufacturers would be made to bear the brunt of the consequences of their findings.
He expressed shock that the companies did not issue receipts, saying it was of national economic interest.
“What has happened today is a national directive for a market survey on iron rods in Nigerian markets.
“It is in view of the fact that there have been cases of building collapse and iron rods are a major input.
“The issue of not giving receipt is new to me, I am aware that anybody who has gone to the market will get a receipt.
“The dealers do not have anything to fear. The manufacturers will bear the full responsibility of their actions. We know where they are and we shall get them if the need arises,” he said. (NAN)
