Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has been enjoined to ensure the certification of all products from state owned and private enterprises in Cross River State under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) to promote their competitiveness locally and across the Nation’s borders.
The Executive Governor of the State, Professor Ben Ayade made this request during a visit to the SON exhibition stand at the recently held Job Festival and Entrepreneurship Summit at the Calabar International Convention Centre.
The certification of the products of the recently established State owned enterprises for production of instant noodles, jute bags and packaging materials by SON as required by law, would also ensure that consumers get value for their money while promoting the growth of the enterprises through repeated patronage, according to him.
Governor Ayade stated that his Government put the Summit together among others to create over 500 job placements, provide grants for 100 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state and facilitate the registration of about 100 start-up enterprises by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Isu and the State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Hon. George O’ Ben Etchi accompanied him on the visit among other dignitaries.
Responding, SON Cross River State Coordinator, Michael Ogbuji assured the Governor that the organisation will intensify its certification of all made-in-Nigeria products in the State under the MANCAP as well as products from the Calabar Free Trade Zone under the off-shore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) for imported products.
ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
STANDARDS ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA
He enumerated other services being provided by SON in the state as including, regular factory inspection for products certification, market surveillance, Laboratory testing and analysis of products, handling of Consumer feedback and complaints as well as standards enforcement activities.
The SON Coordinator asserted that the services promote continual improvement in product quality, consumer confidence, local and international competitiveness and provides a level playing field for made-in-Nigeria and imported products.
Ogbuji and his team also attended to enquiries from visitors to the exhibition stand ranging from information about SON services, its location in Calabar, how to obtain MANCAP certification of products and its duration.
Other enquiries were on online accessibility of Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) to the difference between SON and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) among others.
The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), CAC, Entrepreneurship Development Centre, banks, many SMEs and cottage industries also attended the summit.
‘Bola Fashina
SA (DG)/Head, Public Relations
