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Tag: destroys

  • SON destroys N500m fake products

    SON destroys N500m fake products

    Over N500million worth of sub-standard goods were destroyed this year by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    Speaking at the destruction of substandard products at its Shagamu dump site, Ogun State, its Head, Inspectorate and Compliance, Bede Obayi, said most of the products were seized from various ports and the borders, while some were smuggled items seized in some states.

    He said it was disheartening to note that despite efforts by the agency to enlighten the citizenry about the negative effects of substandard products to the economy and Nigerians, importers still engaged in the illicit trade.

    Obayi said the move by SON is to show its zero tolerance for substandard products, and also serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous importers who do not mean well for the nation. “We are also going to intensify our effort to ensure that these products do not find their way into the Nigerian market,” he said,   warning importers to desist from the act.

    He said: “You are all aware that these goods are imported by people who do not mean well for the country. We have told them that if they must bring in goods, it must be goods that meet the minimum requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) that will give consumers value for their hard earned money.”

    Speaking on the destruction, he said the goods are worth more than N500 million. He listed the products to include, electric armored cables, tyres, expired supermarket breakfast cereals, extension sockets, mini-led flashlights, rechargeable lamps, shaving sticks, mobile phones, stabilisers and engine oil, among others.

    “We are destroying this huge volume of goods, but creating jobs for people overseas because by the time we destroy these goods, we get nothing but economic loss. We are not happy destroying these products, but if we can save the life of one Nigerian by burning these products, we have done something for this country and this is exactly the core mandate of our agency by showing zero tolerance for substandard goods in this country.

    Obayi said SON has used many fora to educate importers and other stakeholders on the right way to import products into the country.

     

    Also, the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) is in place and it is still running, while its e-registration programme is also active to help trace each product to the importer and effectively monitor imports.

    “We have told importers times without number that they should approach SON to get the right standards for the products they are bringing into this country so that when they come in, we will not in any way tamper with their goods, but ensure easy access into ýtheir warehouses.

    These goods were destroyed to save the lives of Nigerians who are not aware of the harmful effect of these products, he said.

  • SON destroys N500m fake products

    SON destroys N500m fake products

    Over N5 billion worth of sub-standard goods were destroyed ii 2014 by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    Disclosing this at the destruction of substandard products at the Shagamu dump site, Ogun State,  SON’s Head of Inspectorate and Compliance, Bede Obayi, said most of the products were seized from various ports and the borders, while some were smuggled items seized in some states.

    He said it is disheartening to note that despite  efforts by the agency to enlighten the citizenry about the negative effects of substandard products to the economy and Nigerians, importers still engaged in the illicit trade.

    Obayi, said the move by SON is to show its zero tolerance for substandard products, and also serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous importers who do not mean well for the nation. “We are also going to intensify our effort to ensure that these products do not find their way into the Nigerian market,” and also warn importers to desist from the act.

    “You are all aware that these goods are imported by people who do not mean well for the country. We have told them that if they must bring in goods, it must be goods that meet the minimum requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) that will give consumers value for their hard earned money.”

    Speaking on the current destruction, he said the goods are worth more than N500 million.He listed the products to include, electric armored cables, tyres, expired supermarket breakfast cereals, extension sockets, mini-led flashlights, rechargeable lamps, shaving sticks, mobile phones, stabilisers and engine oil, amongst others.

    “We are destroying this huge volume of goods, but creating jobs for people overseas because by the time we destroy these goods, we get nothing but economic loss. We are not happy destroying these products, but if we can save the life of one Nigerian by burning these products, we have done something for this country and this is exactly the core mandate of our agency by showing zero tolerance for substandard goods in this country.

    Obayi said SON has used many fora to educate importers and other stakeholders on the right way to import products into the country, besides publishing in newspapers the steps to import products into the country.

    Also, the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) is in place and it is still running, while its e-registration programme is also active to help trace each product to the importer and effectively monitor imports.

    “We have told importers times without number that they should approach SON to get the right standards for the products they are bringing into this country so that when they come in, we will not in any way tamper with their goods, but ensure easy access into ýtheir warehouses.

    These goods were destroyed to save the lives of Nigerians who are not aware of the harmful effect of these products, he said.

     

    Many people have lost their loved ones by consuming these substandard products,” he added.

  • Fire destroys over 100 shops in Ibadan market

    Fire destroys over 100 shops in Ibadan market

    GOODS worth over N1billion were destroyed in a fire inferno that ravaged parts of the popular Aleshinloye market in Ibadan,Oyo state capital at the weekend.

    Men of the State Fire Service yesterday successfully quenched the raging fire, which began on Friday night.

    Hundreds of affected traders were seen wailing over the huge loss, calling on well- meaning individuals and government at all levels to come and assist them.

    The leader of Igbo community in the state, Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland,  Eze Alex Anozie, led other Igbo chiefs to the market to sympathise  with the  traders yesterday.

    Describing the loss as very devastating, Anozie made passionate appeal to the government to assist the affected traders financially and also help in reconstructing the shops.

    He also suggested that the market be ordered to close by 6pm daily, leaving only the security personnel to man the market and open for business by 7am.

    “I remember that since such was introduced at Onitsha market, frequent fire out break stopped,” Anozie added.

    The burnt items are mainly jeweleries, fabrics, shoes, handbags and travelling bags as well as wrist watches, among others.

    One of the affected traders, Mr.Adeoye Soyemi, who deals with jeweleries, told newsmen that no fewer than six hundred shops were affected in the inferno, putting his loss at close to N1 million.

    He revealed that the fire started as a result of power surge, which affected one refrigerator inside one of the affected shops.

    Further investigation revealed that when the fire initially started, five shops were affected while the private night guards on duty alerted men of Oyo State fire service.

    It was also learnt that the fire fighters could however not get enough water to contain the fire, a development which worsened the situation.

    It was a sad tale for many of the traders who got to know of the incident as late as midnight as hoodlums had already vandalised and stolen their goods before getting to the market.

    As at press time, scores of affected traders were compiling their names and items lost to the inferno with sympathisers thronging the market.

  • JTF destroys 308 illegal refineries

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, has destroyed 308 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta this year.

    The outfit impounded and destroyed 30 barges, 155 smuggling boats, 20 tanker trucks and 566 surface tanks.

    This success was achieved by the outgoing Commander, Maj-Gen Iliyasu Abbah, who is bowing out after a month.

    Abbah assumed control on January 10 and was posted to the Army Headquarters, Abuja, as the Military Secretary on February 10.

    The commander listed his achievements within the short period when he handed over to the new commander, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

    Gen. Abbah said the outfit destroyed 275 drums of illegally refined products, 273 pumping machines and two outboard engines.

    He said two vessels used for illegal bunkering were impounded.

    Abbah said illegal oil bunkering would soon be eradicated with the cooperation of every stakeholder in the region.

    He said: “During my stay as the commander, I have studied the situation in the region and have mapped out strategies to that effect but the exigency of service demands otherwise. I have been transferred to the headquarters as the military secretary.

    “I will hand over those strategies to my successor. I believe with the cooperation of stakeholders in the region, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, piracy and other illegalities will be eradicated soon.”

    “Atewe is a committed military officer. He is going to do the work according to the mandate of the JTF. He is so good to handle the task. I have confidence in his abilities.”

    Gen Atewe, a former commander of the Brigade of Guards vowed to tackle piracy, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering in the region.

    He said he would study the situation in the Niger Delta and formulate strategies to tackle economic saboteurs in the region.

    “I have to study the situation. It is my intention to professionally follow the mandate of the JTF to address the menace of piracy, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and other illegalities in the Niger Delta,” he said.

  • JTF destroys 17 illegal refineries

    THE Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, has destroyed 17 illegal refineries in four states in the Niger Delta.

    The security outfit arrested eight suspected oil thieves during its patrols in Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    JTF’s Media Coordinator Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said five of the illegal refineries were demolished in Edo and Delta states by the 3 and 19 battalions as well as JTF’s NNS Delta of Sector 1 Area of Responsibility (AoR).

    He said the troops also impounded 40 Cotonou boats used in conveying stolen products.

    Col. Nwachukwu said the oil thieves and owners of the illegal refineries operated with 300 metal tanks, 64 plastic storage tanks, 72 drums, 68 cooking ovens, four pumping machines and one Lister generator.

    The media coordinator said the illegal refineries were destroyed at Takular, Otegele 1, Okpogbene and Ovulaiye area of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

    He said the troops also impounded a tug boat with 30 drums of stolen petroleum at Ajide on Benin River in Edo State.

    “The Cotonou boats and other apparatus were destroyed, while the six suspects nabbed have been moved to the Tactical Headquarters”, Col. Nwachukwu said.

    In Rivers State, the JTF spokesman said operatives of 29 Battalion and Gun Boat Detachment patrolling the waterways and creeks of Soku–Ofumakiri, Bolo, Oloma and Isaka destroyed four illegal refineries.

    He said the owners operated with 40 cooking ovens, 30 plastic storage tanks, 50 drums, one welding machine, two pumping machines and a 45 KVA generator.

    Col Nwachukwu said the troops impounded a Cotonou boat with 86 drums of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

    He said the illegal refineries and their equipment were scuttled in situ while two suspects arrested were taken to the Sector 2 Headquarters.

    In Bayelsa State, he said troops of 343 Regiment patrolling the waterways shut down eight illegal refineries and destroyed six Cotonou boats in Tebidaba and Igbematoru communities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    “The operatives also scuttled 69 metal drums and two pumping machines used by the oil thieves to operate the illegal refineries,” the JTF spokesman said.

    He said the suspects were being investigated and would be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies.

  • Abia destroys ‘baby factory’

    Abia destroys ‘baby factory’

    HOUSE number 101, Okigwe Road, Aba, Abia State’s commercial city, was a beautiful five-storey edifice admired by all.

    Bathed in colourful paints and surrounded by high walls, which hid the ground floor from prying eyes, it was a testimony to the city’s struggle to catch up with others of its stature.

    But the edifice came crumbling at the weekend when the state government sent a bulldozer to bring it down.

    The building was allegedly used by a doctor to harbour expectant teenagers and effect the adoption of babies through illegal means.

    The demolition, which lasted for more than two hours, was supervised by the Commissioner for Physical/Urban Planning, Elder Godwin Nna and a combined team of security agents.

    It was gathered that the suspect, an indigene of Ndiokeke Ndiakunwata in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, had been arrested many times by security agents following his illegal adoption business.

    A doctor, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that “after reported cases of the doctor’s illegal activities, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state took the matter to the national body and he was cautioned against using his hospital to run the ‘baby factory.’

    “When he persisted, NMA withdrew his licence. It was after this that he went into running a non-governmental organisation, Women and Children’s Right Initiative, where he continued his illegal trafficking in human beings.”

    A police source said the suspect after being declared wanted by security operatives, went into hiding. He was apprehended last week in Egbu, near Owerri, by security operatives.

    Nna said the government demolished the ‘baby factory’ in accordance with the state’s law against child trafficking and kidnapping, adding that a similar exercise was carried out in Afara-Ibeku, Umuahia.

    The commissioner said besides being used as a ‘baby factory’, the building violated the approved plan.

  • JTF destroys new militant camp, 59 illegal refineries

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, has uncovered a new militant camp in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The Media Coordinator, JTF, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said yesterday that the camp was discovered and destroyed by the troops of Sector 3 of the military outfit.

    Nwachukwu, who spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, said the criminal hideout was popularly known in the area as Efut Esighi militant camp.

    “The camp served as a firm base for sea robbers and kidnappers from where they usually launched attacks on unsuspecting victims,” he said.

    During the clampdown, Nwachukwu said the troops recovered “24 x 7.62mm round of cartons, five browning machine gun ammunition, 3 x 7.62mm round of special and seven live cartridges.”

    He named other items recovered as four machine gun belts and one passport fibre boat belonging to Inland Waterways Agency.

    The JTF media coordinator said operatives of the outfits in operations, which lasted for 12 days, clamped down on 59 illegal refineries in creeks.

    He said troops of 3 and 19 battalions covering Edo and Delta states destroyed three of the illegal refineries.

    Nwachukwu said the refineries were built and operated by oil thieves in a forest at Agbede and Egwua in Esako West and Warri South West local government areas of Edo and Delta states.

    He said the troops destroyed seven steel surface tanks, seven locally-fabricated ovens used for heating up stolen crude oil, 235 metal drums and four dugout pits containing stolen crude oil.

    Nwachukwu said 56 of the illegal refineries were shut down by the troops operating in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    He said 16 Cotonou boats, 22 pumping machines, one generator, 25 zinc plates, one welding machine and 32 pipes were burnt by the troops at the refineries.

    Nwachukwu said: “The clampdown was carried out during the recent anti-oil theft patrols of the waterways of Bonny, Kporghor, Igbematoro and Lasukugbene communities in Bonny, Tai and Southern Ijaw local government areas of Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    “The troops also impounded four metal barges and a speed boat caught engaging in oil bunkering.

    “During the anti- oil theft operations, which lasted from November 11 to 22, seven suspects were arrested for oil theft related offences and are undergoing preliminary investigations before they will be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies.”

  • JTF destroys 127 illegal refineries

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, has raided creeks and communities in the Niger Delta, destroying 127 illegal refineries.

    The anti-oil theft outfit, in one of the operations, intercepted a truck laden with 33,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and arrested 29 suspects for offences bordering on oil crime.

    The truck carrying 33,000 litres of AGO was said to have been intercepted by the operatives when they raided Ajide Lagos, Makara and Egwu Aghara watersides in Warri North, Warri North West, Warri South West and Ethiope West local governments in Delta State.

    The Media Coordinator, JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, described the local government areas as notorious for oil theft.

    He said the truck was lifting the product when it was impounded by the operatives, who described the substance as illegally-refined AGO.

    Lt.Col. Nwachukwu said 61 speedboats, 502 drums, 22 tanks, four plastic surface tanks and 77 metal drums containing stolen crude oil were impounded at the crime site.

    He added that four pumping machines used by the oil thieves to transfer the illicit product to the truck were destroyed.

    The JTF media coordinator said the operation was conducted by troops of the 19 and 3 battalions covering Edo and Delta states in the Sector 1 area of responsibility of the JTF.

    He said 24 of the illegal refineries were destroyed in the Delta State operation.

    He said the troops clamped down on 71 Cotonou boats, adding that 31 of the boats were intercepted at an illegal crude oil loading point close to an abandoned oil well head at Okpoghare in Warri North.

    Nwachukwu said 27 of the arrested boats were intercepted in the Egara creek along the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline in Warri South Local Government.

    In a similar operation in Bayelsa State, he said troops of the 343 Regiment of the JTF destroyed 98 illegal refineries, which he said operated with 119 tanks.

    Lt.-Col. Nwachukwu said the troops also destroyed 37 large wooden boats and obtained stolen crude oil as well as illegally-refined AGO.

    He said the troops achieved the feat when they patrolled the waterways of Oyeregbere, Lagosbene and Mansokiri communities in the Southern Ijaw Local Government.

    Said he: “In a separate anti-oil-theft operation, troops of the 29 Battalion and the gunboat patrol company, covering the Sector 2 area of responsibility of the Joint Task Force, have arrested a barge with three crew members and a vessel named MT Tora Eagle with 11 crew members in Bodo waterway and Akassa creek in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    “The barge was intercepted when conveying uncertain quantity of illegally-sourced crude oil and the vessel was laden with 3,600 drums of stolen petroleum product (AGO).

    “The troops also destroyed five illegal crude oil distillation sites and impounded 10 Cotonou boats filled with stolen crude oil along Lewe, Bodo, Elem Sagangama, Oluwasiri and Bodo West in Rivers State.”

  • JTF destroys 61 illegal refineries

    Sixty one illegal refineries have been destroyed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Delta and Bayelsa states.

    The Task Force arrested 29 suspected oil thieves after raids conducted by its various sectors in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

    The Media Coordinator, Lt- Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in Yenagoa yesterday that operatives of the outfit uncovered an illegal crude oil loading point in Rivers State.

    He said the illicit point used by oil thieves to siphon products from a pipeline was discovered by the 146 Battalion of JTF’s Sector 2.

    Lt-Col. Nwachukwu said the oil thieves connected hoses to a facility belonging to the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

    “Anti-illegal oil Bunkering Squad of 146 Battalion of Sector 2 uncovered an illegal crude oil loading point where oil thieves have tapped into a pipeline belonging to the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) along Greens/Gojiri community near Bonny Island.

    “Two hoses siphoning oil into two giant open wooden boats (Cotonou boats) have been recovered and the boats impounded by the operatives,” he said.

    He said 29 of the illegal refineries were discovered and destroyed by troops of 3 Battalion of Sector 1 of the JTF and NNS Delta, a maritime component of JTF.

    He noted that 11 open boats, 55 large steel surface tanks, 20 dugout pits, 10 plastic surface tanks filled with stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) were destroyed.

    He said the refineries were found in Warri South-West Local Government Area.

    Twenty of the illegal refineries were discovered in Olaye Payse near Warri, he said nine of them and seven boats were uncovered in Abudu, Asugbor, Ogbukoko, Obogungun, Escravos , Agedegben communities.

    He said: “In a similar operation in Bayelsa State, troops of 343 Regiment and 5 Battalion of Sector 2 of the JTF patrolling the waterways of Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw local government areas have shut down 32 illegal crude oil distillery camps.

    “The sector also scuttled five open wooden boats used by oil thieves in Lagosbene, Sangana, Okigbene, Akamubugo, Forabagbene and Shigogbene communities in the afore mentioned local government areas.

    “During the anti-oil theft operation 29 suspects were arrested for oil theft related offences.”

  • SON destroys N2b fake products

    The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at the weekend destroyed contraband goods worth over N2 billion.

    Some of the unwholesome products include several packs of cigarettes, consumable products, household equipment and assorted tyres.

    Briefing reporters at the dumpsite in Sagamu, Ogun State, where the goods loaded in 15 trucks were destroyed, SON’s Head of Enforcement and Compliance Bede Obayi said the substandard products were intercepted and impounded by the agency at border posts, markets as well as warehouses in and outside Lagos State.

    He said the agency has obtained court orders to destroy the goods, noting that the destruction was the first this year.

    Obayi noted that the fake products are injurious to human health. “We are not taking the issue of contraband very lightly. We must fight against this scourge and will never tolerate importation of substandard products. “Our zero tolerance to substandard products is still in force and we are not joking about this.”

    Obayi urged Nigerians to patronise local products, especially locally-made tyres, describing Nigerian tyres as the best in the world.