Niger Delta
Product Standardisation’ll Promote Economic Growth – SON
The Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim, has urged manufacturers to work toward the standardisation of their products to promote economic growth in the country.
Salim gave the advice at a one-day sensitisation workshop for stakeholders, Monday, in Uyo.
The Tide’s source reports that the theme of the workshop is “Promoting export and economic growth via standardisation and quality assurance”.
The SON boss, represented by Mr Usman Mohammed, Director, South-South region of the organisation, said the country must move away from being import dependent to embrace export promotion for a robust economy.
He said for the country’s products to be acceptable in the international market, manufacturers must ensure that the quality and standard of their products met global standards.
“The essence of this sensitisation is to create awareness among our manufacturers and exporters on the importance of product standardisation.
“The major problem we are having is depending on imported goods.
“If you ask people why they do not patronise made in Nigeria products, they will say it is not of good standard.
“So, if our manufacturers do not gear up to make their products to meet required standards and ensure necessary quality assurance procedures, the quality of our products will not improve”, he said.
Salim said the workshop was to enlighten manufacturers on the important factors associated with standardisation.
“The country is undergoing a period where our import dependence is too much, that is the major problem why our currency has continued to depreciate.
“There is no magic on earth you will do to improve the value of your currency, if you do not improve your export drive.
“That is why we are going out to carry out this sensitisation to educate the public”, Salim said.
He called on manufacturers across the country to avail themselves of the agency’s services to improve on the standards of their products for export.
He noted that SON was not only a regulatory body but trade facilitation agency, responsible for ensuring that both locally and imported products met the minimum standard requirements.
“Our major concern is not to close down companies but to advise them, give them the necessary information on how to improve om the quality of their products.
“You know quality is a journey and it has no destination.
“Why some of our manufacturers are lagging behind is that they don’t move with time, people detest change.
“As a manufacturer, you are supposed to move with time, even beyond the requirements of the customers.
“That is what will make your products to be sought afte in the market”, he said.
In an address of welcome, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of SON, Mr Ismaila Lawal, said the agency had developed various standards to meet with manufacturers demands.
Lawal said the standards were developed to remove technical barriers to trade at the national and international levels.
He called on manufacturers to contact SON office to boost their businesses to become international champions, create jobs for the teeming youths, promote economic growth and prevent Nigeria from being a dumping ground.
One of the participants, Mr Ime Edoho, commended SON for organising the workshop, adding that it would help his members to improve on the quality of their products.
Edoho, who is the State Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Entreprises, said the group was having the challenge of finance to improve on the quality and standard of their products.
He said that the workshop would enhance their knowledge in product standardization and quality assurance to promote economic growth in the country.
The Delta State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on the State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
The Tide’s source reports that the public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.
“We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.
“We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process”, she said.
Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.
It also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.
They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.
The Federal Government has handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg ‘garri’ to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo, the State Capital.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, the Head, Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom State office, Umar said the donation was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable households.
Umar said that the president’s promise was the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country.
“We are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the intended beneficiaries in the communities”, she said.
The NEMA D-G said that the food items should be shared in the communities through properly constituted committees at the local government levels.
She said membership of the local government committees should include the council chairman, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the traditional institutions.
Umar said 20 per cent of the food items for each council area should be given to religious groups, and that three per cent of it should be given to boarding schools in the area.
Receiving the items, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Offor said that the gesture was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure that the items were given to the intended beneficiaries.
A group, Concerned Obidient Movement, has declared support for Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, told newsmen in Benin that the election transcends individual personalities.
“It is a critical moment that will shape the future of Edo. The PDP is creating a climate of renewed political energy that promises sustainable progress.
“Its candidate, Ighodalo, and the deputy, Osarodion Ogie, possess the vision and qualifications that align with the aspirations of Edo people,” he said.
Igbinevbo highlighted the candidates’ deep understanding of the State’s challenges and potential which, he said, positions them to lead the state into a new era of prosperity and responsible governance.
He urged Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora, to unite in their support for the PDP and its candidates ahead of the election.
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