Reps panel to SON: Sit up… fake iron rods circulating in Nigerian markets

The house of representatives committee on steel development says fake iron rods are circulating in Nigerian markets.

Zainab Gimba, chairman of the committee, spoke on Wednesday at an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

The lawmaker said the quality of iron rods has been compromised, posing a great danger to infrastructure development.

“Talking about specifics in the market, recent findings reveal the manipulations in iron rods as follows: 10mm is 7.56mm, 12mm is 9.25 mm, 16mm is 11.25mm,” the committee chairman said.

“The above were our findings when our delegation went to the Abuja market. Yet, the regulatory agencies are watching. This is unacceptable and it calls for grim and grave concerns.

“Fake iron rods are being transported in daylight. This committee will make bold soon to investigate and apprehend offenders among producers with its cabal.

“What is the Standard Organisation of Nigeria doing in this regard? It is very disturbing that we see compromising attitudes as this is never allowed in our neighbouring country, yet we are the giant of Africa.

“In tackling this serious matter which has brought gigantic embarrassment and ridiculous spectacle to our country, the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Consumer Protection Agency must sit up and do the needful positively.

“We can no longer stand akimbo while watching as some wicked businessmen are sending innocent Nigerians to untimely deaths.”

Gimba said the panel is committed to making Ajaokuta steel company work, adding that a jail term would be proposed for producers of substandard iron rods in the country.

“We are already assiduously looking at resuscitating the bill in this regard, by applying the needed amendments to hammer economic saboteurs who are poised to embarrass us continuously,” she said.

The committee chair said steel can “overwhelmingly” diversify the Nigerian economy and create employment opportunities.

The lawmaker said stakeholders need to collaborate with the national assembly for sustainable solutions to the “ugly and unfortunate problem of proliferation of sub-standard iron rods in Nigerian markets which has led to serious cases of incessant building collapse with its attendant multiple deaths of innocent Nigerians”.