Substandard products injurious to lives, economy—SON boss
By Mercy Neme
The Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, says sub-standard products pose great danger to lives and economic development of the country.
Okeke said this at a stakeholders’ sensitisation forum the agency organised on Friday in Asaba.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation programme was tagged, “Promoting Quality Standards through Self-Regulation and Observation of Ethics”.
Represented by the Director, Corporate Affairs, SON, Mrs Ethan Talatu, Okeke said standard and quality products were beneficial for safety, the environment, increased exports and foreign exchange earnings.
He added that standard and quality products were key to economic growth and global competitiveness and acceptability of locally made products.
“The sensitisation was apt, germane and in tune with the President Bola Tinubu’s administration agenda to turn around the nation’s economy,’’ he said.
The D-G, however, said the agency had recorded some results in the series of ongoing sensitisation programmes, especially in the area of collaboration with stakeholders.
“Let us be all involved and engaged to ensure that only certified quality products are in circulation for sale and consumption across the country.
“We have been deploying massive measures towards delivering our mandate to sensitise Nigerians on the need to embrace quality, particularly markets products,” he said.
He called on stakeholders and operators to support the organisation’s activities across the various sectors.
“We encourage the setting up and growth of market associations, membership building to enhance self-regulation and proper observation of ethics.
“By doing so, we will be promoting the growth of our businesses as well as the nation’s economy,” he said.
Okeke assured Nigerians that the organisation would support the nation’s drive towards global competitiveness, trade facilitation and industrial growth.
He added that SON was focusing on promoting standards through self-regulation and observation of ethics thorough quality assurance, requiring public and private sector participation.
The D-G also said that the nationwide sensitisation workshops were to strengthen stakeholders’ collaboration. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abdul Hassan/Buhari Bolaji
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