By BLESSING OKEZIE, Lagos
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), said it is now approaching the fight against influx and distribution of substandard and life threatening products in Nigeria from many dimensions.
To this effect, SON, said it has ensured that some of its workforce undertook training programmes with the Nigerian Customs Service on the operations of NICIS11 and is currently engaging necessary authorities for a full integration into the process for operational access control of SON regulated imports.
SON Director General, Mallam Farouk Salim, who stated this while addressing members of Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) at a one day workshop organised by the Organisation for the media in Lagos, said the Organisation’s target through these dimensions when fully achieved, would, to a large extent prevent entry of substandard products in Nigeria without any delay at the ports.
“This is because we have invested in facilities near the Apapa, Tincan and Onne ports where quality verification of suspected substandard products can be carried out”, Salim said .
According to him, the agency has already initiated engagements with key importers across the country to flush out the bad eggs amongst them and promote self regulation in the collective interest of the Nigerian business community.
He said SON state offices nationwide have been directed to intensify market survey activities to monitor the performance of locally certified imported products in the market place.
He acknowledged the support of the media over the years to the agency describing the media as partners in progress in the fight to rid Nigeria off substandard products.
“I understand that you have over the years been of tremendous support in telling the SON story and in educating your readers, viewers and listeners on our activities and challenges as it relates to the welfare of Nigerians and growth of the economy.
“We cannot thank you enough but rather request an even more robust collaboration as partners in progress and patriots”.
The SON boss, assured that he was appointed to be chief Executive Officer of SON to make the agency better by building on existing structures and achievements over the years to improve on the service delivery as well as relationships with stake holders.
He noted that in the past ten months of his appointment as the helmsman of SON, his administration had interacted extensively with different categories of stakeholders on how to collectively take SON to the next level for the overall good of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of its people.
He highlighted some of his administration’s achievements in the last ten months of assumption of office, saying his administration has among other things: ensured election of Nigeria into the Standards Management committee of the African Organisation for Standards(ARSO)
Worked for the completion of the year 2019/2020 ARSO essay competition for undergraduates in Nigerian tertiary institutions,2020/2021.
Set up an independent five man committee to review and strengthen management practices in SON, entered into engagement with the staff union’s on SON rapid growth and improvements,
Convened a strategic leadership retreat where all the participants collectively resolved to strive towards making SON a high performing Organisation capable of delivering high quality services to its clients through renewed commitment and automation of its services among others.
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