The Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, has warned that substandard products pose grave danger not only to lives and property, but equally to economic and industrial development of Nigeria.
Speaking at the sensitization forum, organized by SON in Asaba, the capital of Delta State in southern Nigeria on Friday, Dr. Okeke stated that standard and quality products remain mutually beneficial and will lead to robust lives and safety, healthy and safe environment, increase in exports and foreign exchange earnings.
Dr Okeke, who was represented by the Director, Corporate Affairs of SON, Mrs Ethan Talatu, emphasized that standard and quality products would lead to economic growth and development as well as ensure global competitiveness and acceptability of locally made products.
Addressing the theme of the sensitisation forum ,”Promoting Quality Standards through Self-Regulationand Observation of Ethics”, Okeke said that the theme was apt and germane and in tune with the current efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to turn around the Nigerian economy.
He disclosed that SON has recorded some great impact in the ongoing sensitization in places where it has been conducted and called for more collaboration from the stakeholders.
”Let us be all involved and engaged to ensure that only certified quality products are in circulation for sale and consumption across the country.
“We have been deploying massive measures towards delivery on our mandate to sanitise the Nigerian landscape, markets everywhere of wholesome products,” he said.
He, however, called for support and collaboration of all stakeholders and operators across the various sectors.
“We have always encouraged the setting up and growth of market associations and membership building to enhance self-regulation and proper observation of ethics.
“By doing so, we are promoting the growth of our businesses as well as the nation’s economy,” he said.
While assuring that the agency is fast-tracking the nation’s drive towards global competitiveness, trade, facilitation and promotion, business, economic and industrial growth, Dr. Okeke said that SON was focusing on promoting standards through self-regulation and observation of ethics.
According to him, standardization and quality assurance require the involvement of all, public or private sectors operators.
“SON has been enjoying robust engagement with all relevant sectors due to our belief that as a regulatory agency.
“We need to continually work with industry players, NSMEs, business operators, market associations, stakeholders, importers and exporters among others.
“We are dealing with serious issues concerning safety of lives and property,” he added.
Dr. Okeke stated that the agency decided to conduct nationwide stakeholders sensitization workshops in order to enlighten the people as well as strengthen stakeholders collaboration.
According to him, the quality culture will help the nation to succeed tremendously in the zero-tolerance campaign against killer-products.
He therefore stressed the need for all the stakeholders to come up on board as quality vanguards in the campaign against sub-standard and counterfeited products.
In his presentation, the Head of Mechanical department of SON, Mr. Ijacha Ego, called on stakeholders, especially, manufacturers to always seek assistance of the organization in areas of quality control of products.
Speaking on “The Impact of SON Activities On the Nation’s Economic Development” at the sensitization forum, , Mr Ego noted that the main task of SON is to ensure quality of products in the country.
Giving an overview of the activities of SON, Mr. Ego disclosed that SON has multiple testing laboratories tor testing of products and urged the stakeholders to get closer to the organization for quality control of their products and goods.
”Get close to SON, SON is available and willing to support your business, ” he said.
GIK/APA