SON DG, Okeke Urge MSMES, Others To Patronize SON To Boost Manufacturing Sector

Director General (DG) of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)-Dr Ifeanyi Okeke has called on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises[MSMES] and other operators in various sectors of the economy to patronize the regulatory agency to boost the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

DG SON, who was represented by the Director, Corporate Affairs, SON, Mrs Talatu Ethan made the call during a One-Day Standards Organisation of Nigeria/Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) Training and Workshop in Lagos.

 “Standards drive process efficiency, reduce production costs and improve the quality of outputs. They promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices in production and service delivery. Moreover, adherence to standards fosters innovation and encourages the adoption of global best practices,” DG SON added

Okeke appealed to the workshop participants to assist the organization with necessary publicity and public enlightenment.

 He urged them to become advocates of quality and champions of the Nigerian Industrial Standards [NIS]; play a critical role in projecting the Nigeria First policy which prioritizes the patronage of locally made certified products, as well as enlighten all sector operators and the public on how standardization helps Nigeria to harness the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

He highlighted that standards have become the currency of global relevance, hence the need to sensitize local manufacturers and businesses and indeed Nigerians generally on the importance of compliance with the NIS.

DG SON also urged them to promote the visibility and benefits of SON’s key programmes, like the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme [MANCAP] and other product certification schemes.

In his presentation on “SON’s Civil/Building Laboratory”, Mr Obiozor Anthony Emeka disclosed that the organization tests all civil products, including construction materials-like cement, ceramic tiles, paving blocks, wood and wood-based products and even health care products-like the plaster of Paris [POP] and water closets among others.

According to Emeka, different tests are carried out depending on the product, to ascertain that the products actually have the content the producers claim they have and even where that is the case they would also want to ascertain that the products are produced with the required standards.

He explained that in case of cement, it had to be tested to know the chemical content, the setting time and its resistance to chemical attack among others.

 The Director lauded the organization for investing heavily in the best testing equipment-which he said are very costly-some of them in thousands of dollars.

 He revealed that for some of these tests, they use distilled water, and rather than spending on this, this product is produced by SON’s water distiller.

In his own presentation on “SON’s calibration services and Nigeria’s Industrial growth”, the Head, National Metrology Institute [NMI] operations Mr Samuel Ayuba said the need for calibration of equipment is to ensure the accuracy of measurements.

He called on organizations to acknowledge the huge investments that SON has made to provide calibration services in Enugu, Lagos, Abuja, Kano and PortHacourt by patronizing the organization.

“It’s difficult to get a better calibration service elsewhere in the country apart from SON because the equipment used are very expensive. One of them, for example, costs $7,000 dollars and SON has 70 of this. So, people should come to where they can get the best to ensure accurate measurements,” Ayuba added.

In her presentation on “Ensuring Food Safety through Standards Elaboration”, the Deputy Head, Food and Agriculture Group, Mrs Nene Obianwu said the Agency’s testing processes cover so many products, like horticultural ones including fruits and vegetables, apiculture ones like honey and honey products, milk and milk products and cereals, grains and legumes.

 Obianwu explained that she sole objective of the testing process is to ascertain that these foods and agriculture products are free from pathogenic microorganisms and other harmful substances so as to ensure the safety of consumers and to get value for their money.

She lamented that many products are sold in the market with false claims on content, thereby exposing consumers to dangers of all sorts, adding “Even popular products are involved. In this department, we verify all the claims made by producers through tests for the safety of consumers”.

In the presentation on “Growing the Electrical/Electronics Sector with Standardization”, the Head, Electrical/Electronics-Engineer I.A Lawal disclosed that SON established standards to phase out filament bulbs which consumes so much energy and introduced energy saving bulbs standard and LED bulbs which consume less energy and are brighter.

Lawal stated “Due to SON’s effort and collaboration with Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, today, made-in Nigeria cables are the best in the world. SON cable laboratory is accredited to World Standard ISO 17025”.

In the presentation on “Quality Lubricants Guarantee Safety and Protection”, the Head, SON’s Lube laboratory, Mr Bathinyi Ahmadu stated that the organization remained committed to precision and accuracy in testing Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), Automotive Gas Oil (engine oil) household kerosene aviation fuel (JET A), among others. According to Ahmadu, some of the parameters used in achieving the set objectives include testing sulphur content, specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, flash point, fire point, shear stability and colour.

 Ahmadu declared that some of the lab’s parameters are currently being accredited as stipulated by ISO 17025.

In her presentation on “Food Technology Laboratory” An Assistant Director, Mrs AranniLewa Comfort, disclosed that the department has various units where food products, agriculture products and others are tested, like Microbiology testing laboratory and mycotoxin laboratory among others.

She emphasized that such tests are quite revealing, mentioning an experience three years ago when “no single tested disinfectant in the country passed quality tests”.

She stated further that the department also does nutritional analysis, which includes a verification of the additives in products and products’ sugar content verification as well, among others.

In her presentation on “Promoting Organizational Growth Through Management Systems Certification (MSC)”, the Assistant Director, SON’s MSC- Mrs Rabi Idakwo, harped on the critical need for MSC, which she said enables organizations to manage their operations efficiently and effectively to achieve set goals.

“Established in 1994, SON-MSC is Nigeria’s national body for third-party management systems certification. Accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS), USA, and formerly by NABCB, India, SON-MSC operates in line with ISO/IEC 17021:2015 standards, ensuring global credibility,” she said.

She stated that MSC certification affirms that an organization is tested and trusted and therefore reliable and deserving of patronage.

As part of efforts at transforming Nigerian companies, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged organisations to get the management systems certification (MSC) for global visibility.

She emphasized that SON-MSC is not just a mark of quality, but a strategic investment as certified organizations are more likely to be globally recognized, achieve sustainable growth, offer better services and staff welfare, contribute to economic growth and Nigeria’s international image.

In Mrs Emmanulla Somawine presentation on “How SON’s Training Services Build MSMES & Ensure Sustainability” she explained the various training services provided by SON, adding that the organization is open to customization.

According to Somawine “Standards are improvement tools. We train on standards. Besides, our training covers all kinds of customer needs as they may desire. Our goal is to build national capacity through comprehensive training programmes”.

Mrs Ijeoma Umego, who did the presentation on “MANCAP/SONCAP- Critical Regulatory Tools for Competitiveness” explained the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme [MANCAP], which all manufacturers must strive to obtain and the SON Conformity Assessment Programme[SONCAP], which must accompany all imported products are to guarantee quality products for the safety of consumers and called for adequate publicity on both.

Speaking on her presentation on “Marketing”, Mrs Victoria Yoriyo said “Our services and products at SON, most of which you have already been told are not just to be known or even known by those who already know, but are preferred”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, CICAN, Mr Charles Okonji stated that the capacity building workshop is the most welcome and very timely event, noting that it cements SON’s sustained partnership for mutual benefits.

Okonji acknowledged SON’s support over the decades, which he described as quite helpful, stressing that the regulatory agency has also in return enjoyed good reportage by the association and urged SON to keep it up and even do a lot more.