Ilorin:The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called on manufacturers in the country to focus on producing quality and customer-friendly products to boost their competitiveness. This appeal was made by Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General of SON, during the presentation of Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates in Ilorin.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the ceremony saw two companies, Omo’ya Concrete Electric Poles Industries Ltd. and Jofco Concrete Industries, receiving MANCAP certificates. Dr. Okeke, represented by Mr. Abdulrazaq Oyewopo, the Kwara Coordinator of SON, emphasized that customer-friendly products should be safe, durable, and meet customer needs.
Dr. Okeke stressed the importance of adhering to required standards, warning manufacturers that any product issues could lead to government scrutiny. He encouraged manufacturers to align with SON’s mandate and consistently produce high-quality products. The two companies awarded the certificates are part of the Civil Building Engineering Division and specialize in producing electric poles. Their eligibility was confirmed after rigorous assessments and laboratory analyses.
Furthermore, Dr. Okeke expressed concern over some block manufacturers in Kwara who are not meeting SON’s construction material standards. He reiterated SON’s commitment to enforcing standards and ensuring compliance with required specifications.
Mrs. Ibukunolu Alasan, SON’s Chief Technical Officer, advised the certificate recipients that achieving MANCAP certification signifies a need for ongoing commitment to product improvement. She cautioned that SON could revoke the certificates if standards are not maintained, underlining the importance of quality in MANCAP certification.
Mr. Michael Olayiwola, representing Omo’ya Concrete, praised SON for its efforts in ensuring Nigerian companies meet quality standards and pledged continued cooperation to maintain the production of customer-friendly products.