The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr.Osita Aboloma, has assured Nigerians that his organization is ahead of the game in ridding the country of substandard products.
He stated this when speaking at the presentation of Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to deserving manufacturers in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Aboloma who was represented by the Regional Director North-West SON, Mr. Yakubu Dauda, explained that the MANCAP Certification is presented to only manufacturers that their products pass the standard test.
On how Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can stimulate the economy through growth, the Director-General advised them to work on the packaging of their products, which he described as the biggest challenges they are facing.
While speaking, Kaduna State Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Mines, Dr. Manzo Ezekiel Maigari said that the state government was making efforts at ensuring growth of businesses.
He explained that part of the measures being taken is to reduce taxes that business premises pay.
“For instance, in our ministry, we were charging N20,000 for new registrations, but have reduced it to N10,000 for new registrations and N5,000 for renewals,” the commissioner, who was represented by the Director Commerce, Industry Development in the ministry, Mrs. Agnes M. Auta said.
While fielding questions from newsmen, SON Kaduna Head, Mr. Danlami Datti said that the government in its wisdom set up SON to ensure that Nigerians are protected from substandard products.
“We’ve been working round the clock in mopping up substandard products and ensuring safety of Nigerians. We’ve raided substandard tires, food products, pens and other essentials.
“MANCAP is one of the safety measures we put in place for products within Nigeria, while those imported are certified with SONCAP,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the certified products, Gorvind Narain Verma of Chellco Industries Ltd, said that the MANCAP Certificate will further help his company serve the public better.
“As the only blanket manufacturing company in West Africa, we would use the new status we have attained to further improve on our product,” he explained.
Those that were presented the certificates are Rahusa Blocks Industry, Chellco Industries Ltd, Azu-Jaral Nigeria LFw: SON DG Vows To Rid Nieria Of Substandard Products As 6 Kaduna Coys Get MANCAP Certificates
