Fake energy-savings bulbs may frustrate MAN’s plan to save N18bn annually
The noble idea being put up by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) before the federal government to put in place energy-saving policy and compel consumption of compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), will save well over $49 million (about N18 billion) annually for the economy, Nigerians who have been using them say over 80 per cent in the market is fake.
Energy-saving bulb is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace the incandescent lamp; it fits into light fixtures normally used for incandescent lamps.
In a report released by MAN in Lagos on electrical and electronics sector of the economy, noted that CFL can provide huge savings for government and consumers, as investigations have shown that an energy saving lamp of 11 watts, has longer life span than one million incandescent bulbs of 60 watts. According to Dr. Frank Jacobs, President of MAN, “by today’s valuation, the average cost of a power plant of one megawatt capacity is approximately $1 million. By this, the country could as well save $49 million aside other advantages.”
Though the report was helpless on circulation of fake energy bulbs, Jacobs said that government, through its agencies, should continue to sanitize the sector by mopping up substandard electrical products in the nation.
Investigations by Business Hilights show that even though the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) recently seized two containers of substandard energy saving bulbs worth over N100 million, the entire Nigerian market are currently saturated by fake products and very few original one, all selling at same price.
