- SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE GOVERNMENT
Victoria Silvanus
The Director General, (DG) Standards Organisation of Nigeria's (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim has indicated SON’s readiness to collaborate with the Ekiti State government in boosting economic activities in the state with the commissioning of its new office and laboratory complex.
Mallam Farouk gave the indication at the commissioning ceremony of SON Office and Laboratory Complex in Ekiti state which was performed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo (CON) and the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in Ado Ekiti recently.
The DG SON in his welcome address, disclosed the agency's efforts in closing the existing infrastructural gaps within the agency with the construction of multi-purpose built office and laboratories in every state of the federation which is in line with the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) plan to improve the agency's capacity in areas of conformity assessment and laboratory testing.
According to Salim, this has informed the need for developing a custom-built office and laboratory complex in Ekiti aimed atv complementing the efforts of the state government in ensuring that products in the state meet the minimum required standards, thereby, guaranteeing quality and global competitiveness.
Mallam Salim further noted that testing of products to meet the appropriate Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and International Standards by SON laboratory means products manufactured in the state can be exported across our borders, especially with the ongoing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA).
The SON helmsman used the opportunity to seek for a partnership with the state government for the development of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide sustainable solutions through quality assurance and good manufacturing practices,
Salim also made a formal request to the state Governor for donations of laboratory equipment, operational vehicles and additional support to fix the access road to the office to enhance free movement and maximise productivity and output.
Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo (CON) the Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), in his keynote address, lauded the DG SON on the quick and timely completion of the building describing it as a great milestone for the state as it will optimise the activities of the agency in Ekiti.
According to the Minister, a functional laboratory within the state will reduce the turnaround time for test results as products will be tested in the state and the citizens will be the better for it; he however, warned those peddling and engaging in the production of substandard products in the state to desist from such practices as the SON act 2015 allows for arrest, confiscation and persecution of offenders found wanting on infractions pertaining to standards and quality.
He further commended SON for mooting an MOU for signing with the state government for the development and growth of MSMEs, which when executed will improve the quality of made in Nigeria products for both local and international patronage.
In his welcome address, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State Dr. Kayode Fayemi thanked the Minister Otunba Adebayo and the management of SON for their cooperation in further aggregating the presence of Federal institutions under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in the state.
While assuring the Director General that the request for construction of the road to the complex will be carried in little or no time; he urged the organisation to continue in its good works of standardisation, conformity assessment and quality assurance
The ceremony, which was well attended by royal fathers, government functionaries and Ekiti business community some of which are; The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Rufus Adeyemo Aladesanmi (CON), Kabiyesi, Oba Adeniyi Adesola Ajakaiye, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti , the Acting Director Operations Mr. Dauda Yakubu the Group head Food, Dr. Mrs. Omolara Okunlola , the Regional Coordinator South West Engr. Fred Akingbesote and all South West State Coordinators and members of staff of the state office.
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