The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified efforts in the drive for the amendment of the act establishing it.
Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, who stated this at the 50th anniversary of the organisation, noted that the agency, established by Act No. 56 of 1971 as amended by Act No. 14 of 2015, has since been empowered by its present Act with more powers to check the production, importation, circulation and sale of sub-standard products across the country.
He noted that the organization in the last two years, concentrated on some critical areas that add value to the industry.
According to him, “My predecessor spent a lot of time and efforts to review the one we are using today after seven years, the act is not punitive enough, we need to go back to the National Assembly being a democratic society to seek a more improved treatment for criminals .
“Because these criminal individuals destroy our industries, economy, tax base and some of the sponsors of these activities are in the country. All these activities are tied down to sub standard goods and people selling them.
“A lot of factories will not be here today if sub standard good are allowed to fester in the country. It’s very important to the nation’s security.
Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, who was represented by Evelyn Ngige, permanent secretary in the ministry said
the SON has a big role to play in facilitating trade and ensuring that local goods and services compete favourably in the international market and guarantee that excellence is maintained across all production lines in the country.
“This is even more important now that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) has opened up the domestic market in the continent of Africa. The organisation must therefore support industrial development, facilitate trade and finance investment for Nigerian economy.
“It should remain committed to ensuring policy and continuous improvement of all that is produced locally and imported from elsewhere.”
The minister noted that consistent high ranking of SON has rasied the profile of the supervising agency as efficient and effective trade facilitator.
“Over the last 50 years, SON has achieved a tremendous milestone in the enhancement of quality among industries and markets. The organisation remains important in the growth of the industry and trade and investment sector.
” It has continued to move up to the challenge of assisting in the promotion of testing , researching and facilitating certification of businesses to ensure that most of these entities attain the international recognised accreditation to enable them penetrate the international markets.”
In his goodwill message, the President of Mnaufacrurers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Franchise Meshioye, applauded the SON for a good job in maintaining standards in the country.
“What good thing which they are doing and we want them to continue to be focused in promoting standard. We want to be sure that products brought in and produced in Nigeria can compete favourably in any part of the country.
Particularly at this time of AfCFTA, when good will be going out and coming. The manufacturing concern is that we should have products that are of good quality that will compete favourably with other products in other countries. It will promote the industrial sector in Nigeria.”
The high point of the even was presentation of awards and appreciation to deserving staff, companies, directors and director generals.
A staff of the organisation, Mrs Amina Abba Haliru was recognised as the organisation’s outstanding staff of the year, while some companies were also recognised for their contributions or accomplishments in specific areas of standardisation.
“Before my appointment, several Directors of Standards. and Directors General managed the affairs of this Organisation. All of them contributed enormously to enable the Organisation to attain its present status. May 1, once again, on behalf of the staff of the Standards Organisation Nigeria. express our most sincere appreciation for the services offered by these great Nigerians.
“The successes of SON over the years are also because of the tremendous work of the staff both past and present. Permit me to place on record our appreciation for their services.”
In his remarks, the former Director General, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, extolled the Director General for investing in its people, adding that since he left, the agency has continued to record positive progress, saying that efforts of the present SON management is showing a movement reflecting a thinking management.
“For instance, the laboratories have been very well equipped and you must continue to recognize the people within the system. If you encourage the right people more right people will come on board. SON is an organization that is quite important to government and I have always said, the federal government has not shown that appropriate recognition of the importance of SON, but it has continued to bring people on to make the difference,” he said.
“I am really impressed because once you bring up the right people, you will only end up improving productivity levels. If Nigerians wants to make a success of AfCFTA, it is through SON, because before you must trade with other countries you must harmonies your standards and you must have the quality infrastructure,” he added.
He advised the DG to train from the lowest cadre of staff to the top, also saying there is need for reorientation of staff for more hard work, saying the role SON plays in the nation’s economy is very vital for the country’s economic diversification drive.
