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SON Conducts Sensitization Workshop For Stakeholders In Anambra

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) Anambra State office 11, Nnewi has organized Sensitization Workshop on standardisation for all stakeholders in Nnewi and it enviros.

The Sensitization Workshop with its theme, ” Expanding Frontier Of Manufacturers Via Standardisation” was held at Martina Chukwuma Plaza, Nnewi, Anambra State and presented by Engineer Onucheyo Enebi Shaiabu.

Delivering his address at the event, the Director-General of Standards of Organization of Nigeria, Mallam Farouka Salim stated that the role of manufacturers and service providers in socio-economic development of Nigeria cannot be over emphasized.

He described standardization as the process of making a product conform to standard, adding that it is a framework of agreement to which all relevant parties in an industry or organization must adhere to ensure that all processes associated with the creation of a good or performance of  services are done within a set of guidelines.

Salim who was represented by the Director Anambra State Regional Operations, Mathias Bessy further explained that standardization promotes productivity and eliminates inefficiency but provides quality control and tasks are completed in more efficient manner.

He also said that standardization goes with quality assurance which entails processes of inspection, sampling and test to ensure that products that are locally made  in Nigeria or imported conform to the minimum requirement of Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) before they are sold to the public.

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According to Salim, Standardization gives the consumers confidence of the quality of product being purchased and value for money spent, even as he  expanded that SON has charged with the responsibility of ensuring standards and standardization activities in Nigeria as they put in place the policies and Initiatives that are targeted at expanding the frontier of  the local manufacturers via Standardization and quality assurance activities.

He therefore listed the policies of Standards Organization of Nigeria as included; Mandatory Conformity Assessment Program ( MANCAP), Market Surveillance, Inspectorate and Compliance Activities and Standard Development.

” In the same manner, SON initiated a policy that ensures that local manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders are actively involved in Standards development process through inclusion in Technical Committee” Salim concluded.

Also in his speech, the Anambra State office 11 Nnewi, Michael Ogbuji lauded manufacturers who attended the workshop, stating that it would enhance them in their respective manufacturing firms.

” I know that as you continue to attend the Sensitization program, if you are a manufacturer or intending manufacturer, you will learn a lot in today’s program. If you are an importer, you consider it important to import your products through a Standardization”  Said Ogbuji.

The Senior Special Assistant to DG SON, Chief Emeka Duru explained that sensitisation is a platform set up to ensure that SON as a regulatory agency have interface with stakeholders.

He noted that the Director of Standards Organization of Nigeria ( SON) has mandated that sensitisation of Standardisation should be conducted ones in every state, saying that SON has conducted 3 time Sensitization in Anambra State due to numerous manufacturers in Nnewi.

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” You can not talk of manufacturing without mentioning Nnewi. We came to educate Nnewi what SON stands for and open your eyes on manufacturing and importation. What I want to tell you people is  that any product you want to cross Nigeria must embrace Standards Organization of Nigeria. So, get international recognition, export your products in other to help National economy” Duru posited.

Some of the participants included, Engineer Akanyami Oluwafami from Chikason Company, Chairman of Electrical dealers Obosi, Johnbosco Onunkwo and Chairman of Autor mobile manufacturers and importers Association, Augustine Jideofor commended SON for Sensitization Workshop for Standardisation.

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