Barrister Fabian Awhen
The goods that are most affected are food and drugs, which experts and analysts say are essential for human existence and survival.
Some of these fake goods have their root in Nigeria, while a larger percentage stream in from overseas, particularly Asian countries.
Usually, the fake products do not conform to set standards.
Generally, products affected, range from consumables, pharmaceuticals, spare parts, nuts, bolts and screws, detergents, spirits, cassettes, and records to body creams.
Specifically, time and time again, we have been treated to shocking revelations in which some capsules are simply stuffed with chalk, cassava powder, talcum powder, and sawdust canned and sold in place of beverage.
It is also common to find imitation birth-control pills, imitation perfumes, fake baby powder milk, and a lot of other products under different patents.
While fake pharmaceutical products pose a great health risk, evidence abounds that bolts and nuts whose strengths are inadequate are potentially dangerous to installations and automobiles using them.
The same could pass for imitation brake lining and other automobile spare parts, which account for some percentage of vehicular accidents on our roads.
Nigeria is indeed the largest market in black Africa with a large population, yet Nigeria is yet to be fully industrialized.
Because of this, we are constantly having situations in which demand outstrips supply.
In other words, the consumption pattern of the country outstrips its production capacity.
Unarguably, amid this situation, there have emerged many fake and inferior goods flooding our markets today, and the population, for a combination of factors has continued to patronize such fake and sub-standard goods.
There is no denying the fact that the flooding of the markets with substandard and counterfeit goods has created a sense of insecurity in genuine manufacturers.
It is also submitted that the existence of fake goods retards our technological development.
The fact that many such goods are imported into Nigeria and carry low price tags could discourage ingenuity, advancement, and expansion of the nation’s industrial base.
But Nigeria needs to develop her technological sector and investors can’t show practical interest if their effort is being frustrated through the flooding of the markets with fake and sub-standard goods.
It could be argued that the emergence of fake products has created jobs for people. But the question is, wherein lies our conscience if we consider the enormous harm fake products inflict on the economy?
Although some protagonists of fake goods could rely on the postulations of the famous Italian philosopher, Machiavelli, in his book “The Prince”, that the end justifies the means, suffice it to say that the problems of fake and counterfeit goods should stand as an exception to this principle.
Nigerian manufacturers should rise to the challenge of meeting the demand for their goods at reasonable prices.
Furthermore, the standard organization of Nigeria should monitor the quality of goods in our markets to ensure that they meet the prescribed standards to guarantee the safety and satisfaction of the consumer.
Nigerians must indeed engage themselves in various economic endeavours, but such endeavours should be tailored to suit the health and well-being of the citizens and not for selfish aggrandizement.
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