In  support of the federal government’s power improvement plan, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has invested in mobile testing facilities which is  first of its kind in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),  for on the spot testing of products such as transformers and generators.

Director General of the organization, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, at the inauguration of the mobile generators and transformers laboratories in Lagos yesterday  themed: ‘Delivering Mobile testing labs at your doorsteps for Economic growth,’ noted that  SON has identified power transformer as a very important component of power supply chain that requires monitoring to ensure its quality complies with Nigeria’s industrial standard requirements.

Okeke said  the organisation embarked on the project in fulfilment of SON’s mandate to organize tests and do everything necessary to ensure compliance with standards designated and approved by the council.

He emphasised that the launch of the laboratory is to provide convenience, flexibility, reduce turnaround time, reduce cost and provide ease of doing business for  clients, as the organization is always in the forefront of  innovative development.

He disclosed that the mobile testing facility is equipped to carry out tests on transformers such as load testing, protection test, generators efficiency, power factor, voltage regulation test, insulation test, emission test of generators exhaust and noise level check. 

“These are critical tests that will determine the quality of generators and will supply information to our product certification department for MANCAP certification.

“The mobile testing on transformer will include Insulation resistance, winding test, ration test, polarity test, leakage resistance partial discharge test and no-load loss and excitation current among others.

He informed assemblers, importers of these products that it was no longer business as usual, noting that buyers must have value for their money “and to know that all information supplied on their product will be verified and tested for compliance to Nigeria industrial standard.

“SON will be collaborating will other government agencies in the electricity sector to sanitize the market and ensure that only certified products are allowed in the Nigeria market.

On his part, Director, Lab Services,  SON,  Richard Adewunmi, who  made a presentation on the impact and overview of SON laboratories services on economic growth said the facilities is a plus for the organisation and consumers, which will  save time and money. 

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“In the past, we had lots of complaints from consumers which could not handle, but now, all of those problems are over with those this mobile lab. 

“This lab detects emission level and ascertain   noise emission status. 

Transformer is vital in our community, so, every material used in coupling transformer must be to certified. 

The representative of Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Joseph Emoleke, Director, Field Services, MAN, commended SON for the milestone achievement, saying that it is an incentive to the manufacturers and importers of both transformers and generators.

Emoleke noted that MAN would like the  Ajaokuta Steel Mill to  become functional, adding that it will reduce billions spent annually on importation of steel products.

 Sylvester Uguru, Vice President of Electrical and Electronics Dealers Association, Alaba International Market, commended SON for this milestone achievement. 

Uguru said  the facilities will greatly reduce the troubles and arguments faced constantly in the market whenever customers return some products for one reason or the other. 

He noted that this giant strides will help his members in reducing losses incurred on some products for not being tested adequately at the point of entering.

 

 

 

 

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