The Management of African Steel Limited has refuted and described as false some recent media claims alleging that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) closed down the company’s Ikorodu Steel Factory due to standards violations.
According to a statement from African Steel Limited Management, certain competitors who profit from using unfair business tactics to acquire an unfair advantage are responsible for the report.
The statement which was signed by Ravi Sharma, Director of African Steel, said officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) recently visited the premises of African Steel, Ikorodu in the course of their regulatory oversight, took inventory of already manufactured steel products and took samples for further regulatory processes with proper documentation.
Sharma explained that the company is aware that similar regulatory steps were undertaken by SON to the premises of other steel manufacturers across the country, stressing that, at no time did SON Officials shut down the African Steel Limited premises in Ikorodu.
He noted that African Steel Limited is a member of the African Industries Group which commits to the highest ethical standards in all its operations in Nigeria and across the globe, an affront.
The Director assured the company’s Customers of quality products at all times and advised them to ignore untrue publications.
Commenting on the SON’s most recent regulatory activity in the Steel sector, Director, Product Certification, Engr. EnebiOnucheyo corroborated the African Steel narrative and confirmed that neither the facility of the company nor those of any other Steel manufacturer was shut down in the latest exercise.
“Rather, spot inspections were carried out, inventories and samples taken and products were kept on hold with proper documentation to enable SON to conduct laboratory tests and analysis in order to arrive at informed conclusions in line with our organisation’s standards operating procedure,” he said.
According to him, the SON nationwide regulatory action was part of routine exercises usually carried out periodically without notice, to checkmate the production and circulation of substandard iron rods in the Nigerian markets.
Engr. Onucheyo stated that the Management of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria is determined to clamp down on standards infractions in all sectors of the economy with particular emphasis on products classified as life-endangering. Such infractions will be duly prosecuted in line with the provisions in the SON Act and other extant laws of the Nation, he said.
The SON Director of Product Certification then called on stakeholders to continue to share valuable information on product standards and safety with SON and other regulatory authorities in the overall interest of the Nation’s economy and the well-being of the citizens.