By Merit Ibe

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has disclosed that it was seeking the assistance of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN) and members of the industry to improve the Act establishing the organisation. 

Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, made the remark at the 50th anniversary celebration of the organisation, where he said the agency, established by Act No. 56 of 1971 as amended by Act No. 14 of 2015, has since been empowered by its present Act with more powers to check the production, importation, circulation and sale of sub-standard products across the country.

He said  the organisation as a corporate body has been  at the heart of industry, sitting at the pinnacle of standardisation work in Nigeria. 

“Aware of our role in Industry, we in the last two years, concentrated on some critical areas that add value to the industry.

“My predecessor spent a lot of time and efforts to review the one we are using today after seven years, the act is  not punitive  enough, we need to go back to the National Assembly being a democratic society to seek a more improved   treatment for  criminals . “Because these criminal  individuals destroy our industries, economy, tax base and some of the sponsors of these activities are in the country. All these activities are tied down to sub standard goods and people selling them.  “A lot of factories will not be here today if sub standard good are allowed to fester in the country. It’s very important to the nation’s security.

Minister for Industry, Trade and  Investment,  Adeniyi Adebayo, who was represented by Evelyn Ngige, permanent secretary in the ministry said the SON has a big role to play in facilitating trade and ensuring that local goods and services compete favourably in the  international market and guarantee that excellence is maintained  across all production lines in the country. 

“This is even more important now that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) has opened up the domestic market in the continent of  Africa. The organisation must therefore support industrial development, facilitate trade and finance investment for Nigerian economy. 

“It should remain committed to ensuring policy and continuous improvement of all that is produced locally and imported from elsewhere.”

The minister noted that  consistent high ranking  of SON has rasied the profile of the supervising agency as efficient and effective trade facilitator. 

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“Over the last 50 years, SON has achieved a tremendous milestone in the enhancement of quality among industries and markets. The organisation remains important  in the growth of  the industry and trade and investment sector.

“ It has continued to move up to the  challenge of assisting in the promotion of testing , researching and facilitating  certification of businesses to ensure that most of these entities attain the international recognised accreditation to enable them  penetrate the international markets.”

President of the Mnaufacrurers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Franchise Meshioye, applauded the organisation for a  good job in maintaining standards in the country.

“What good thing which they are doing and we want them to continue to be focused in promoting standard. We want to be sure that products  brought in and produced in Nigeria can compete favourably in any part of the country. 

Particularly at this time of AfCFTA, when good will be going out and coming.  The  manufacturing concern is that we should have products that are of good quality that will compete favourably with other products in other countries.

It will promote the industrial sector in Nigeria.”

The high point of the even was presentation of awards  and appreciation to deserving staff, companies, directors and director generals.

A staff of the organisation,    Mrs Amina Abba Haliru was recognised as the organisation’s  outstanding staff of the year, while some companies were also recognised for  their contributions or accomplishments in specific areas of standardisation. 

“Before my appointment, several Directors of Standards. and Directors General managed the affairs of this Organisation. All of them contributed enormously to enable the Organisation to attain its present status. May 1, once again, on behalf of the staff of the Standards Organisation Nigeria. express our most sincere appreciation for the services offered by these great Nigerians.

“The successes of SON over the years are also because of the tremendous work of the staff both past and present. Permit me to place on record our appreciation for their services.”