The Standard Organization Of Nigeria (SON) wants Nigerians to embrace global standard in production of goods as a means of expanding the economy and attracting growth.
The call was made Thursdays by the Director General of the SON, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke during a one day sensitization workshop on its requirements, compliance and monitoring activities to curb influx and sale of substandard products that took place in Kano.
The Director General, who was represented at the event by the Director in charge of Public Relations, Folusho Bolaji, said that SON is sensitizing average Nigerians on the benefits of buying and producing standard goods.
“The purpose of this gathering is to sensitize the public about what the average Nigerian stands to gain in buying and producing standard goods.
“Looking at the mandate of president Tinubu, he wants to procure economic growth in Nigeria and standard Organization is the apex agency that facilitates trade.
“We are here to educate the average Nigerian on how to identify standard goods, buy them and it will also boost foreign exchange leveraging on the after.
“If products in Nigeria are produced up to the expected standard, we will be able to export it. We will be able to leverage on bringing more foreign exchange to Nigeria and it will affect the economy” she explained.
Also addressing newsmen on the activities of SON, the Director in charge of enforcement, Pius Lawal explained that the SON is established by law and the public need to be enlightened about the Act and what is expected of it.
“People misunderstand it when we say enforcement, they think it has to do with arrest and prosecution of people which is not so.
“Our work is to ensure that the people follow the rules and guidelines accordingly. Our work is protected by the law which is based on the Act that provides the laws on which we operate. We have enlightened the public on these.
“We want to make sure that whosoever enters into a a business understands it very well. We will not want a situation where one will enter into a business without understanding the regulations surrounding it.
“We have our offices all over the country especially here in Kano which is a commercial centre, we have a lot of our officers here.
“If you want to start an importation business, you should know that you need a SONCap for your product. Under the SON, the SONCap is done abroad from where you want to port any item.
“There are companies in charge of pre shipment activities like the CCIC, CCCSIC, Cortecna, Veritas etc. any time you intend to import some goods you will work with them, they will check and see if the goods are good enough for import, and if they are good they will certify them fit for import and you will not have any problem bringing them in and marketing them.
“We want to ensure these rules and guidelines are followed accordingly” he stated.
On its side, the representative of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Nura Safiyanu appreciates the training which he says has exposed them to a lot of regulations which they will abide by.