News Summary:
- The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) urges businesses to standardise products for global competitiveness.
- Through training workshops and programmes like MANCAP, SON educates manufacturers on reducing waste and increasing cost-effectiveness.
- Stakeholders from various industries participated in the workshop to learn about improving their businesses and meeting consumer expectations on a global scale.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has told businesses that they need to standardise their products in order to be competitive on the global market.
Mallam Farouk Salim, who is the Director-General of Standards SON, gave the charge at a training for stakeholders in the Southsouth Region in Calabar, which is the capital of Cross State.
Salim, who was represented by Mr. Usman Mohammed, SON Director for the Southsouth Region, said that it would continue to consult stakeholders on issues related to standardisation and quality assurance. This is in line with the company’s culture of openness, collaboration, and partnership, which aims to make sure that Nigerian products are competitive on the global market.
He said that the purpose of the workshop, whose theme is “SON: Partner in Progress for Business Boom through Standardisation,” is to teach manufacturers why it’s important to follow standards. He also said that this is why SON is talking to the right people to make sure they follow the standards.
He said that the organisation will not give up on its duty to make sure that locally made goods meet consumer expectations and are competitive on a global scale.
He went on to say that SON is running programmes across the country to make manufacturers aware of what they need to do.
He went on to say that the training would teach people how to grow their businesses, reduce waste, and make sure their products are cost-effective. This would help the economy of Cross River State and the country as a whole.
The Chief Executive went on to talk about how SON goods are registered. “We have products that are made here and products that are made elsewhere,” he said. We use a programme called MANCAP (Mandatory Confirmatory Assessment Programme) to rate the companies based on what they make locally.
“We visit the companies, take samples, test them, and tell them what to do to fix the problems. Through MANCAP and SONCAP, we keep a close eye on both the goods made here and those that come from other countries.
Chief Emeka Duru, Senior Special Adviser to the DG/CEO and National Coordinator of Sensitisation Programmes, also spoke at the event. He emphasised the importance of the sensitization programmes and said that the platform gives SON a way to talk to stakeholders so that business can move forward. He told the people involved that their issues would be taken care of as soon as possible.
He said, “The DG/CEO has taken the trouble to make sure I move around the states to meet with stakeholders and teach them about what SON has to offer to help the economy of the country move forward. Without them, SON would not exist.” I want to give you my word that all of your questions will be answered.”
Engr. Nimma Apim, the SON State Coordinator for Cross River, said that the engagement is a step in the right direction and that following SON’s rules is a safe way to improve services and businesses.
Engr. Lawal Ismaila, who is the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, and Engr. Richard Adewumi, who is the Director of the Marketing Department, also gave talks.
Participants from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Calabar Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (CALCCIMA), Lafarge Africa Plc, Niger Mills, and the Cross River State Government, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and many others were there.