The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has closed down the Ispat Steel Company Nigeria Ltd., in Agbara, Ogun State, over alleged production and sales of substandard imported steel products.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent, who accompanied the team, reports that business activities were disrupted at the company immediately the SON enforcement team stormed the premises.
The company’s General Manager, Mr Ramesh Gawapathy, was also apprehended by the team along with one of his aides for failing to give satisfactory explanations on the company’s operation.
NAN reports that the workers and the management staff of the company, located at Opic Estate in Agbara, were caught unawares by the surprise visit of the SON enforcement team.
Several tonnes of rusted steel, wires and metal plates of various sizes, ranging from 12mm, 25mm and 32 mm were seen scattered in the open inside the company’s premises.
Mr Bede Obayi, who led the enforcement team, said that the closure of the company followed the expiration of the 60- day deadline earlier given to the company by SON.
He said that the SON Director-General,? Mr Joseph Odumodu, had earlier ordered all the companies dealing in substandard goods to dispose of them.
Obayi said that the deadline was given at the stakeholders’ meeting on Sept.16 where issue of collapsed buildings was discussed.
“We embarked on the visit after the expiration of the deadline given by SON.
“We also received a tip off that this company was stocking several piles of substandard reinforcement bars,’’ he said.
Obayi said that the company was not given any certificate of clearance on the products found in its premises.
“We have seen that these products do not pass through the SON certification,’’ he said.?
Obayi said that that the company would only be reopened after samples of the products taken away had been tested and found to conform to the approved standards. (NAN)
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