Industrial Growth Minus Lasting Economic Stability, A Mirage-SON Helmsman

 

COMMERCE, INDUSTRY & INVESTMENT 

By allcitynews.ng 

As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, the Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, has said that the country cannot achieve lasting economic stability without strict adherence to product quality.

Okeke said this to mark the Nigeria's 66th anniversary, noting that the Federal Government's reforms had laid the groundwork for growth, but warned that the gains would not hold if local production was not backed by standards.

The the statement made  available by the Director Corporate Affairs of the agency, Mrs Ethan Talatu, the helmsman reiterated his belief, saying "a nation cannot consume its way to greatness, but must produce its way there as, according to him, production without standardisation is an exercise in futility.

"A nation cannot consume its way to greatness; it must produce its way there. However, production without standardisation is an exercise in futility," he said.

Okeke described substandard products as a drain on national resources, a threat to public safety and a dent on the country's image in international markets, but quickly noted that SON is working in tandem with the Federal Government's agenda, as reflected in this year's anniversary, themed, "From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria's Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity." 

Moreover, the Director General, assured that enforcement of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) was helping to turn macroeconomic reforms into stability for businesses and consumers, adding that the agency's priority over the past three years had been to strengthen the country's quality infrastructure.

According to him, the National Metrology Institute's Mass and Balance Calibration Laboratory secured EGAC ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, saying that SON's internationally accredited testing capacity was also more than doubled, from 23 to 52 parameters.

He added that the agency had also commissioned new State Office and Laboratory Complexes in Minna and Sokoto, pointing out that the move would bring testing and calibration services closer to small businesses and cut costly delays for local producers.

On the digital front, he disclosed that SON launched a Digital Standards Platform (DSP) to improve access to standards nationwide, saying that it also introduced the Electronic Product Identification Scheme (e-PIS), the Product Identification Scheme (PIS) and the Special Economic Zones Conformity Assessment Programme (SEZCAP) to track products along the value chain.

Okeke said 62 new Nigerian Industrial Standards had been rolled out while Codex standards have also been adopted for local agricultural products such as root and tuber flours.

It would be recalled that Nigeria recently received the ARSO Quality Mark Award from the African Organisation for Standardisation.

The Director General said more than 220 products from 131 Nigerian companies are now certified to adopted African Standards, positioning them to compete under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), adding that to keep its laboratories running round the clock, the agency commissioned a 200kW solar power system at its laboratory complex in Ogba, Lagos.

Okeke said SON had rebranded and tightened its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) logo and inspection process.

He, however, said the agency could not win the battle alone, urging the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority and security agencies to step up collaboration and share real-time market intelligence.

This was just as he equally urged manufacturers not to compromise on quality, while also calling on traders to reject fake goods as he enjoined Nigerians to buy locally made products.

"When you see the SON quality mark, you are looking at a shield of safety and a stamp of national pride," he said.

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