Standard Organisation of Nigeria has called on Southeast Small and large-scale business ventures to maintain the standardization and quality assurance guidelines, rules and regulations to gain improved Nigerian economic outcomes.
The one-day sensitization workshop themed “SON Requirements and Compliance Monitoring Activities to Curb the Influx and Sale of Substandard Products in the Country,” was held at Peakcastel Royal Suites and Hotel, on Thursday, 2024.
Speaking at the opening remark, Director General, SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, noted that the importance of the workshop was to inform Southeast businesses to adhere to standards and quality assurance, noting that standardization supports the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises, promotes the agro-allied sector, and ensures the safety of lives and property, contributing to industrial and economic development.
Represented by Mrs.Foluso Bolaji, Director of Public Relations, Dr Okeke described the SON Act No.14 of 2015 as crucial for eliminating substandard products in Nigeria.
He emphasized that SON’s updated ISO Management Systems training programs align with the latest international standards and best practices. He encouraged operators to certify their products with SON to enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian products.
“We are using the nationwide stakeholders sensitization programmes not only to enlighten operators on the provisions of the SON ACT No. 14 of 2015 but equally to strengthen stakeholders’ engagement and collaborations.
The SON ACT enacted into Law by the Seventh National Assembly is a revolutionary document which we are deploying to carry out massive steps towards delivering on our mandate to sanitise the Nigerian landscape, markets, everywhere, of unwholesome products.
“Let me inform you that the big hauls of seizures which the Organisation have been recording in recent times are testimonials that we mean business by harnessing to the enormous powers which the ACT has accorded us.
“We have been confiscating fake and sub-standard products worth over several billions of naira across the country. We have since embarked on arraignment and trials at the various federal courts of suspects linked with the failed and impounded goods.
“We are not resting on our oars and no one person, group, sector or region is being targeted.
“We therefore appeal to all to be on board the standards voyage, ensure strict adherence to standards and quality assurance for your businesses to grow. Let me remind us all that, the work of standardisation is to grow Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, promote the agro-allied sector, ensure the safety of lives and property as well as ensure industrial and economic development, which is why we need this engagement with you, participants and operators. We need to use the opportunity of the African common market to attain economic and trade development”.
“That is why we are spreading our tentacles to the states and geo-political zones. Product counterfeiters have no place to hibernate. With the re-invigorated monitoring and enforcement strategies and exercises we are putting in place, our dragnet will get economic saboteurs anywhere, anytime. As one of the best ISO Management Systems training providers, SON has continually updated its training programmes to suit the latest international standards, practices, principles and in-depth knowledge.
As operators, we urge you to always certify your product’s quality with SON to make made-in-Nigeria products and services good to go anywhere in the world”.
“let me assure you that SON as a Federal body with responsibilities to develop standards for products and services as well as ensure that locally manufactured or imported products comply with the requirements of quality and standards through conformity assessment benchmarking, provides a level-playing field for local manufacturers, importers, exporters and consumers. We insist that all products manufactured in Nigeria must be certified to the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) through the agency’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP). Again, all imported products must also be certified to the NIS or other approved standards through SON’s Offshore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) Products.
Contributing, Hon. Christian Udechukwu, Anambra State Commissioner for Industry and Commerce, said the joy of any business is to follow due procedure and ensure compliance to production. This according to Udechukwu will provide more opportunities to the business owner and ensure continuity.
In his speech, Nnewi Importers Association Chief Austin Emmanuel Jideofor stated that under his watch, the association has generated a lot of revenue for SON. He noted that the members understood the importance of product registration and certificates of brand names.
Some of the dignitaries present were the lead paper presenter, Mr Pius Manji, Director, of Anambra Directorate, Mr Agafie Gabriel, the Director of Quality Aluminum/Steel Manufacturing Industries Onitsha, Chief Emeka Clement Melunze, Director of public relations representatives of the Director General, Standard Organization of Nigeria, Alhaji sunny Mihammed, Ichie Sunny Ezeosiliora, Chairman Sunnyvespa, State Coordinator Enugu state, Engr Peter Ameh, Ebonyi state Coordinator, Engr Ugwueche Maryrose, Police and Civil Defence representatives, among others.
Meanwhile, Engr. Samuel Ayuba Ushe, Head of Operations at the National Metrology Institute (NMI), and Mr. Pius Manji Lawan, Director of the Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate (ICD), led key presentations.