In its quest to manage public funds and check the menace of counterfeit products in public offices, the Federal Government says it is going to embark on general survey on her HP computers, toners and partner HP computer manufacturers, to procure only genuine products for maximum output.
The permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of communications, Mr. Musa Istifanus who was represented by Director of ICT, Mrs. Moni Udoh stated this today during a meeting between the management staff of Federal Ministry Of Communications and a delegation of HP computer manufacturers company, in Abuja.
The meeting which was meant to address the increasing rate of counterfeiting HP products in the Nigerian market with the view to address the menace so that the Federal government and unsuspecting consumers would not lose their hard earned money to buy fake products that would not stand the test of time after they are being purchased .
The director described the rate of counterfeit products in the country as a problem and worrisome. She said the Federal Ministry of Communications would take a lead to survey all HP computers and register with HP to supply genuine computer systems and parts, service the bad ones through their certified engineers and distributors to put an end to the ugly trend of illegal distributors who make consumers to pay more for bad products that end up not serving their purposes.
Mrs. Udoh regretted that there are so many fake products out in the Nigerian market hence, she charged the company to intensify enlightenment campaigns and workshops to educate consumers on the indicators for identifying fake products and their implications on their (consumers) economy.
The director also urged them to put up a workshop for all procurement directors in the ministries, departments and agencies of government parastatals to sensitize them on the negative effects of counterfeit products, how they affect manpower and how to avoid falling her victims so that public funds would not be wasted on buying products that would not serve their purposes.
She stated that counterfeit is a general problem, thus, Federal Ministry of communications would partner the company to avoid patronizing fake products and secure toners service program from it (HP) to safe the Federal government from avoidable costs
In a remark at the meeting, Manager, HP Company, Emmanuel Eze said the company is determined to provide consumers satisfaction having put in place certain control measures such as buying the products through authorized distributors and retailers, monitoring their activities while enlightening the beneficiaries on how to avoid counterfeit products.
In a presentation at the meeting, the business manager (HP), Olamide Ojo said there are so many counterfeit products in the market which according to him is a global phenomenon not peculiar to Nigeria alone, where illegal manufacturers fake their products to look like the originals which at the end fail to serve the consumers.
According to the business manager, the ugly trend of counterfeit products has not only cost the company millions of dollars but has also cost unsuspecting consumers their hard earned money and rid them from consumer satisfaction.
Phil Oshodin
Head (Information/PRU)
