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Court stops SON from implementing cement standards

By on September 27, 2014

The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has restrained the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) from implementing the proposed cement standards it introduced recently.

The ruling was issued by Justice Emmanuel Obile in suit No. FHC/CA/CS/50/14  instituted by the United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UniCem)  against the Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and the SON.

In the ruling, the presiding judge urged counsel to SON (the 3rd defendant) to ensure the regulatory body maintains the status quo over the proposed cement standardisation.

The judge warned the counsel to SON, D. S. Lawson– Ogaree of Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Co., to advise their client to stay action on the implementation of the controversial standardisation pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The ruling was sequel to a report from UniCem’s counsel led by E. Monjok Agom who informed the court of continuous threat to his client and purported plan to implement the controversial standardisation by SON, even as the matter is in court.

The process of reviewing the cement standard by SON is surrounded in controversy as professional bodies like Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), cement manufacturers among other stakeholders have cried foul over the process.

After the ruling, the matter was adjourned to November 17 to enable SON file its preliminary objection which the court agreed would be taken together with the other pending applications.