•Investing N5bn to import fake tyres, as SON has accused two Chinese, is cynical, mind-boggling and utterly condemnable
THE news was sobering: the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has accused two Chinese, Taolung Shen and Xu Jing Yau, of importing N5 billion worth of fake tyres, from their country, into Nigeria. These tyres are allegedly later rebranded, cloned as new, and pushed into the market for unsuspecting motorists, looking for the best bargain.
To start with, why would any sane person invest so much in fakery, when he could have put such resources on legitimate business and genuine products? That is cynical.
Even with the basic fakery, why would any mind rebrand the junk as new (in the process, faking popular brands) and luring innocent buyers into fake reliance on the integrity of the tyres, knowing how crucial to driving safety are automobile tyres? That is pre-meditated and evil; and ought to be roundly condemned — and punished.
It is doubly condemnable because these Chinese are nationals of a country that has zero tolerance for corruption. Were the duo to be indicted and tried in their home country, they probably would have faced the death penalty, if convicted.
So, why would a Chinese slink from a putative capital crime in his homeland, only to rush to Nigeria to commit the same crime, but hopes to live happily ever after? That perhaps points at the tragic laxity in both business regulations and law enforcement in this country, both fuelled, no doubt, by corruption. That must be addressed — and seriously too.
The Chinese are involved in serious economic activities in Nigeria, ranging from construction, roads, rail and housing; manufacturing and other sectors. The story of the Nigerian governments’ rally to boost infrastructure, both the failed bids of the past and the present essay to get it right, has a robust Chinese input. That should be commended and further encouraged for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
But the alleged conduct of these two Chinese is absolutely intolerable. Given its N5billion scope, there appears indications that the rogue business has been on for quite some time. So, how many innocent Nigerians have these fatal Chinese tyres consigned to early graves? How many orphans, widows and perished young Nigerians, victims of needless auto crashes, has this evil enterprise spawned?
That is why the case should be thoroughly investigated, prosecuted and, if the accused persons are found guilty, given the stiffest of punishment. That should serve as stiff warning for future putative felons, dreaming of Nigeria as a huge laboratory for manufactured deaths.
But that is only part of the story. Osita Aboloma, SON director-general, struck the pose of the all-consuming patriot, when he rued the Chinese duo “surreptitiously taking away the lives of millions of Nigerians.” That was when he took reporters round the warehouse housing the fake tyres.
But if those tyres came in through Nigerian ports, where were his men and women, supposed to certify their quality, before clearance? How did this Chinese camel pass through the eye of their needle?
Interestingly, in the aftermath of busting the fake tyre racket, there has been an interesting exchange between SON and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The NCS is quick to say ascertaining quality is not their forte; and they clear only after either SON (manufactured goods, machines, etc) or NAFDAC (food and drinks) has certified quality. Before you know it another sterile controversy dawns.
But that is not what is needed now. Rather, what we need — and should be done — is a fast but thorough probe into how those fake tyres passed through our ports; and equally swift prosecution and punishment of whoever could have compromised themselves.
That is the only way to put an end to the morbid profit of sending innocent Nigerians to early graves, and yet cynically smiling all the way to the bank.
To start with, why would any sane person invest so much in fakery, when he could have put such resources on legitimate business and genuine products? That is cynical.
Even with the basic fakery, why would any mind rebrand the junk as new (in the process, faking popular brands) and luring innocent buyers into fake reliance on the integrity of the tyres, knowing how crucial to driving safety are automobile tyres? That is pre-meditated and evil; and ought to be roundly condemned — and punished.
It is doubly condemnable because these Chinese are nationals of a country that has zero tolerance for corruption. Were the duo to be indicted and tried in their home country, they probably would have faced the death penalty, if convicted.
So, why would a Chinese slink from a putative capital crime in his homeland, only to rush to Nigeria to commit the same crime, but hopes to live happily ever after? That perhaps points at the tragic laxity in both business regulations and law enforcement in this country, both fuelled, no doubt, by corruption. That must be addressed — and seriously too.
The Chinese are involved in serious economic activities in Nigeria, ranging from construction, roads, rail and housing; manufacturing and other sectors. The story of the Nigerian governments’ rally to boost infrastructure, both the failed bids of the past and the present essay to get it right, has a robust Chinese input. That should be commended and further encouraged for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
But the alleged conduct of these two Chinese is absolutely intolerable. Given its N5billion scope, there appears indications that the rogue business has been on for quite some time. So, how many innocent Nigerians have these fatal Chinese tyres consigned to early graves? How many orphans, widows and perished young Nigerians, victims of needless auto crashes, has this evil enterprise spawned?
That is why the case should be thoroughly investigated, prosecuted and, if the accused persons are found guilty, given the stiffest of punishment. That should serve as stiff warning for future putative felons, dreaming of Nigeria as a huge laboratory for manufactured deaths.
But that is only part of the story. Osita Aboloma, SON director-general, struck the pose of the all-consuming patriot, when he rued the Chinese duo “surreptitiously taking away the lives of millions of Nigerians.” That was when he took reporters round the warehouse housing the fake tyres.
But if those tyres came in through Nigerian ports, where were his men and women, supposed to certify their quality, before clearance? How did this Chinese camel pass through the eye of their needle?
Interestingly, in the aftermath of busting the fake tyre racket, there has been an interesting exchange between SON and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The NCS is quick to say ascertaining quality is not their forte; and they clear only after either SON (manufactured goods, machines, etc) or NAFDAC (food and drinks) has certified quality. Before you know it another sterile controversy dawns.
But that is not what is needed now. Rather, what we need — and should be done — is a fast but thorough probe into how those fake tyres passed through our ports; and equally swift prosecution and punishment of whoever could have compromised themselves.
That is the only way to put an end to the morbid profit of sending innocent Nigerians to early graves, and yet cynically smiling all the way to the bank.
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