The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is set to begin the regulation of the importation of used vehicles popularly known as tokunbo.
The SON Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, made the declaration at a recent meeting in Lagos with members of Indian Professionals Forum in Lagos.
Odumodu said that the issue of regulation has become imperative in view of the surge in complaints from the general public over the condition of the used vehicles being imported into the country.
SON, according to him, would not concern itself with the age of the vehicles but the condition of the engine, emission, the mechanical function, among others.
Noting that the rickety conditions of such vehicles gave cause for concern, he said that it was contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer through the emission of carbon monoxide.
Odumodu explained that, in order to checkmate this ugly state-of-affairs and stop Nigeria from being used as a dumping ground for all manner of used vehicles by unscrupulous businesspersons, SON will soon fix a date to meet with major stakeholders to take up the challenge.
“We may send August 2013, three months from now, for the commencement of the regulation of all the used imported vehicles in the country,’’ he said.
It will, according to him, no longer be business-as-usual for used vehicles importers, as relevant measures aimed at streamlining used vehicles importation will be put in place in Nigeria’s overall interest, including her eco-system .
Odumodu urged Indian professionals in Lagos, especially those into manufacturing and importation business, to embrace SON’s zero tolerance policy to substandard goods and adhere strictly to Nigeria imports guidelines.
He also called for closer collaboration between SON and the Indian Professionals Forum to foster unity and mutual coexistence as well as boost trade.
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