War Against Substandard Goods: Ekiti, SON partners to boost economic development
By Charles Okonji
The ongoing partnership between the Government of Ekiti State and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said be a step further in the war against fake and substandard products in other to boost economic development in the state.
Governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this hint in his remarks at the commissioning of SON office complex and laboratory held in the state over the weekend.
Fayemi noted that partnering with SON is in line with his administration’s resolve to get rid of life threatening products in Ekiti
He explained that the full presence of the Organization would complement the Economic Plan of the state government, urging companies and business owners to establish in state as they stand to gain from favorable government policies and the SON modern facility in the state.. In a remark, Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi explained that the full presence of the Organization would complement the Economic Plan of the state government, urging companies and business owners to establish in Ekiti.
According to him, the Inauguration of the office and laboratory complex would boost socio-economic development and increase trade and Investment opportunity in the state.
“Ekiti people are known for maintaining standard when it comes to products and services.
“We will not compromise standard and we are going to continue to support SON in it’s regulatory responsibility, the governor stressed.
In his welcome address at the occasion, the Director General of SON,
Mallam Farouk Salim expressed joy over the commissioning of the Ekiti permanent office and lab in line with the agency’s new found vigor in fighting fake and substandard products in the country
According to Farouk, SON is currently on the path of closing the infrastructural gaps identified with the wholesale completion of offices and /lab projects, arguing that the commissioning of such facilities is in line with the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) plan.
SON he stated will be glad to into partnership with Ekiti State with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME).
“This is to effectively provide tailor made solutions through implementation of standards and codes of practices for value addition through quality assurance and good manufacturing practices,” he said.
He stressed that testing of products to relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and International Standards by SON laboratories means products from Ekiti State and environs can compete favourably locally and through export at the international markets, especially with the ongoing implementation of the AfCTA agreement
The SON helmsman further stated that the new office and laboratory complex will reposition standardization and quality assurance activities in the state with a view to creating the enabling environment for investments and production of goods and services to thrive.
He thanked Governor Kayode Fayemi for donating laboratory equipment and an additional operational vehicle to enhance SON’s reach and technical assistance to all the nooks and crannies of the State
