By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Wednesday in Ilorin awards three manufacturing companies in Kwara with the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 33 products from the companies were certified, which includes Raladex Global services Ltd, Adejunmo Nigeria Enterprises and Crown Flour Mills Limited.
Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General (D-G), SON, gave the certification at the MANCAP and Training of Stakeholders on best practices and consumer responsibility.
Okeke who was represented by the Kwara State Coordinator of SON, Mr Ayenioye Feyisayo, explained that MANCAP is a mandatory programme were locally manufactured products in Nigeria must comply with standards before the product can be allowed to be distributed to the market.
According to him, for the past nine months these companies went through rigorous assessment by SON, to ensure their consistency, compliance and adherence to standards is exceptional.
He pointed out that products without MANCAP certification are not supposed to be in the market, and regarded as substandard products.
“Today is a day to celebrate those companies that endured these processes so that they can be certified,” he said.
Okeke also charged manufacturers to be determined to improve and adhere to the standards that has been laid down.
“Manufacturers must be willing to comply and demonstrate their cooperation so that we can work together with them.
“This is to ensure that products within the country are superlative and competitive.
“And so when manufacturers cooperate with us, evidently the economic growth of this country will be superlative.
Also speaking on the training, Hajia Abiola Bayero, the Chief Standards Officer Head of Unit, Food Codex, warned against producing substandard products.
She added that manufacturers must be acquainted with the Product Liability Standards.
According to her, this is to protect consumers by ensuring fair business practices, transparency, and access to information about products and producers.
Also speaking, Mrs. Mariam Dolapo, the Assistant Chief Standards Officer, SON, explained that there are about 13,000 working standards in the country.
She added that SON reviews the standards of products, minimum of every five years.
“Reviewing standards of product ensure quality of products and services, improve performance, and help manufacturers achieve growth.
“It also reduces risk, and enforces safety,” she said.
In his reaction, an awardee of MANCAP, Dr. Hafiz Rizwan, the General Manager, Quality and Nutrition Olam Agric, Crown Flour Mills, commended SON on their policy in maintaining standards of products in Nigeria.
He observed that it is only when products have quality and standard that, they can compete with others from any part of the world.
