AfCFTA: Madugu urges SON to strategize for utmost performance

By Johnmark Ukoko

The Kano branch Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Alhaji Ali Madugu has called for the proper positioning of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) at the nation’s entry points for the success of the newly started African Continental Free Agreement (AfCFTA).

This is contained in the SON’s media statement made available to Gentechnews recently, the statement quoted Alhaji Madugu who is also the MAN’s National Vice President to have made the call in Kano while receiving the Director General of SON Mallam Farouk Salim who was on a working visit to the state recently.

According to him, the commencement of the AfCFTA further underscores the need for SON’s presence at the country’s entry points to prevent Nigeria from being turned into a dumping ground of substandard, fake and counterfeit products from other African countries.

He commended Mallam Salim’s approach to addressing the concerns of about 140 members of, North West branch of MAN.

In his response, the SON boss stressed that his agency was set up to provide technical assistance and support to genuine local manufacturer’s as well as protect them from unfair competition from substandard products.

He commended the local manufacturers for their sacrifices through investment in infrastructure, creation of job opportunities and regular payment of taxes as part of growing Nigeria’s economy, while also assuring them of his commitment and support

“We need to partner with MAN to protect genuine manufacturers and legitimate importers by sharing intelligence to apprehend and prosecute standards infractions. With adequate consequences for actions, most people will follow the rules”, he stressed.

The SON boss stated that efficient service delivery remains his focus and invited MAN to pull forces together with SON for collective success in the interest of the nation’s economy and well being of its people.

He called MAN members to work with his agency to further protect their brands through the deployment of a product authentication scheme to empower consumers at the point of purchase.