The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has thrown its weight behind the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) zero tolerance to substandard products campaign.
Mr Joseph Emoleke, Assistant Director (Membership services) MAN, who represented MAN DG, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, stated this at a one day Stakeholders Sensitisation Workshop/MANCAP Certification Presentation organized by SON on Wednesday in Lagos.
He noted that MAN is willing to duelist any member that is established to be part of the people promoting the hydra-headed monster called substandard products.
“MAN is support of the Zero tolerance for substandard products campaign. We demand the names of any of our members found wanting and we will delist them. MAN is for integrity and we want to maintain standards,” Emoleke stressed.
On his part, the Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, stated that the programme was designed to sensitize the public on the Agency’s efforts in the fight against substandard products in the country.
Salim noted that the workshop was to create awareness on SON brand, products and services, pointing out that hazards of substandard goods to the society and the economy of the country was the main focus.
“SON has resolved to fight against substandard products, and it cannot be achieved without the cooperation and support of the stakeholders and the general public.” DG stressed.
In her presentation, the keynote Speaker, Chinyere Egwuonwu (Mrs.), CEO/Lead Consultant PEARLCEE Consult Ltd, stated that the program ensures that local manufacturers are able to meet international standards and to be able to compete internationally.
Egwuonwu disclosed 50 percent of every cable in the market is substandard, attributing increasing fire outbreak in houses to the fake cables.
She regretted that ₦15trn is lost annually to substandard products, lamenting that Nigerian factories are closing down.
“We all have a role to play, the fight is for everyone. The public and private partnership is needed to fight the menace.”
She called on govt to make policies that would stop the trend of substandard products in the country.
The importer should stop importing substandard goods, the local producers should meet up with standards and the consumers should not patronise low quality goods. Tell your neighbours. Your see something, say something.”
The high point of the event was presentation of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) to various deserving companies.
