SON Sensitises Stakeholders on Needs For Standardisation, Quality Assurance

 

 

Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has sensitised 150 stakeholders on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on globalizing their products through standardisation and quality assurance activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the One-Day Stakeholders Sensitisation Forum was titled, “Globalising the Nigerian MSMEs through Standardisation and Qualify Assurance”.

Speaking during the event, Director General of SON, Mallam Farouq Salim said that the sensitization campaign was aimed at creating awareness and sensitising stakeholders on the globalisation of MSMEs through standardisation and quality assurance activities.

Salim, represented by Alhaji Saleh Babaji, Director North Central of SON said that the sensitisation was one of the mechanisms put in place to rid the nation of substandard and adulterated products.

“At SON, we are aware that a well-informed, educated and sensitised citizenry is the bedrock of effective regulation.

“This is why today’s event is another milestone in our bid to promote public safety, improve lives, protect Nigerian industries and guarantee the security of citizens,” he said.

The Director General noted that technology has facilitated the globalisation of industries, through the introduction of e-commerce activities in Nigeria, occasioned by the advent of the Internet.

This has made global corporations operate with much consistency and at a reduced cost of transactions as if the entire world were a single entity.

He said that technology enables MSMEs to participate in Internet trading and has expanded the industrial capacity as a nation to export and import goods, thereby promoting rapid economic growth.

Salim further said that technology has increased the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and national income, and enhanced the standard of living for citizens.

He reiterated that SON had always emphasized the role of standardisation, to promote the growth of MSMEs for sustainable, inclusive, diversified, industrial and economic development in Nigeria.

“Our objectives are to help harmonize technical specification of products and services, to make the MSMEs more efficient and break down all trade barriers.

“Also, to reassure Nigerian consumers and the entire world that “Made -in –Nigeria” products are safe, efficient and acceptable by the display of the certification status, they have achieved.

“Our overall intention is to ensure that MSMEs can favourably compete without any restrictions to trade,” he said.

He implored the people of the state to continue to support SON in her fight against the proliferation of substandard and adulterated products and urged them to report any unethical practice bothering on substandard products.

Mr Oyebola Ayeni-Oye, State Coordinator of SON said that there are lots of Nigerians in the MSMEs business and there was a need to prioritize them to make their business more productive and improve the economic situation.

“We prioritize MSMEs and give them more attention, so that they can survive and be able to produce extensively as well as excellently well, to increase the economy of the nation.

“This is the second sensitisation organised by SON in the state this year, to engage stakeholders in Kwara on the importance of standard, increasing their productive capacity, assurance and quality,” he said.

The Guest Speaker of the event, Engr. Shaibu Onucheyo said that standardisation in business is when an organisation or industry set protocols to create a product or service which involves implementation for a desired outcome.

Onucheyo further said that a standardised marketing and distribution system makes it easier for clients to use the product or services.

The Resource person noted that MSMEs help in encouraging the creation of new industries and markets, thereby creating jobs and stimulating economic growth, as they contribute up to 40 per cent of national income. (NAN)

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