By Tony Nzekwe
The Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, has said, “Standards Organization of Nigeria, an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria will remain committed to standards, safety and security of Nigerians in products importation, exportation and consumption in line with it’s statutory mandate.”
The Director General disclosed this information at a one day sensitization programme on SON activities and mandate held in Port Harcourt.
Mallam Salim, opined, ” SON is willing and ready to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders with a view to improve lives and standard of living of Nigerians.”
Adding, ” SON as a responsive and responsible agency of government is willing to adjust or remove their charges if all stakeholders are ready to collaborate and adhere to standards.”
He asserted, ” SON generated seven Billion naira last year 2021, into the federal coffers.” Adding “SON has witnessed full stakeholders cooperation especially in Port Harcourt.” While, “over 80 per cent of products enter into Nigeria through the Lagos Ports yet we are not at the ports.”
The DG frowned at the SON inability to access Customs Niciss 11 portal for products profilling and evaluation aimed to ascertain standards before clearance.”
The SON boss stated that its operations have improved in Lagos and the agency is outside looking into activities inside.
In his remarks, secretary of the board, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFNN, Chief Kingsley Offor, said, ” There’s need for SON to penetrate the rural areas with a view to protect and sustain standards of products.”
Adding, ” SON has taken the right step aimed to stress the urgency of standards and its adherence to stakeholders and Nigerians at large.”
Offor, posited, ” Buying sub standards products is not good for health and the Nigerian economy. There’s need for more collaboration and Synergies aimed to ascertain standards compliance and habits.”
However, he commended the Standards Organization of Nigeria for the sensitisation programme and called for its sustainability.
Dignitaries at the event include; Deputy Comptroller James Garuba, who represented Customs Area Controller, Onne customs command; Assistant Comptroller Musah, represented Customs Area Controller, Oil and Gas Customs Command and Deputy Comptroller Ntadi, represented Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area 1.
