By Miriam Humbe
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said that it has in place, modalities to reduce trade barriers, enhance synergy, boost the international trade and create access to the Nigerian market.
Director General, SON Osita Aboloma Esq. made the disclosure in a panel discussion at the maiden edition of the United States Trade fair put together by the Commercial Services Unit, office of the Consulate General, United States Embassy in Nigeria, at the Eko Covention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Represented by the Director, DG’s office, Lagos, Kabir Mohammed, he explained that standardization, certification and quality assurance are part of SON’s core mandate to help grow the nation’s economy and improve the quality of life.
He stated that SON has added value to its processes by going electronic in the offshore conformity assessment of imported products (SONCAP), Product Registration, mandatory conformity assessment of locally manufactured products (MANCAP) which are deployed online – real time, in a bid to create a more robust system with limited human encumbrances, to promote a more efficient and fair trade practices.
According to him, the role of SON as the apex standardization body in Nigeria has created a niche for the organisation as an enabler of businesses. It is therefore imperative to enlighten business owners on the need to embrace standards, quality assurance and SON certification processes to help them grow and compete globally, he said.
Aboloma, listed SON’s internationally accredited certification competences as including: ISO Quality Management System (QMS), ISO Environmental Management System (EMS), ISO Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS), ISO Food System Management (FSMS) and ISO Integrated Management Systems, all tailored towards standardization of products, services and the environment.
He reiterated SON’s willingness to continue to partner with business owners and particularly SME’s, through proper sensitization on processes of standards development, certification, proper documentation and access to standards through the reduction of costs and other waivers to promote the ease of doing business.
The trade fair presented an avenue for participating US companies to achieve their investment objectives in Nigeria by engaging with the Nigerian business community and Government agencies.
Other participants in the panel include Prof. James Momoh, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Moses Adagudu, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mrs. Oludele Jumoke Onabanjo, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Engr. Bako Wakil representing the Nigerian Communication Commission.
