SON issues conformity certificates to seven companies in Niger state

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Niger state 2 office has issued Mandatory Conformity in Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to 7 companies in Suleje, Niger state.
SON said the products are 12 in number, saying six companies are majorly food related, which includes: water,rice and potatoes chips.
The agency added that a foam manufacturer also acquired certification while another company had its certificate revalidated.
Speaking at the presentation of the certificates, Director General/ Chief Executive of SON, Farouk Salim said that the event was a continuation of the organisation’s mission to promote consumers’ confidence and global competitiveness of made-in-Nigeria products through standardisation and quality assurance.
Salim who was represented by the Director, North Central, Babaji Saleh commended the awardees for ensuring that their products comply with all SON processes.
He said, “These certificates have expiration date. After three years it will expire. We expect all the manufacturers to come for re-registration of products when the certificates expired.
“SON has the mandate to protect your business and certificates, that is why our officers will be visiting your companies from time to time for inspections and cross examination of products to ensure that the right standard is maintained continuously”.
He emphasized that, “The certificates we are giving you all today is based on trust from the government and from you who are beneficiaries to protect the citizens”.
On his part, State Coordinator SON, Niger 2 office, Adamu Ahmed, said the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, MANCAP, is a policy put in place by the Federal Government of Nigeria; with the objective of improving quality of lives of citizens of the country by ensuring that all locally manufactured products conform to relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards.
According to Ahmed, the MANCAP certification has a lot of economic benefits to the country, one by promoting healthy competition among domestic manufactures for individuals development.
“ It also encourages excellent products and healthy products through consistent compliance while providing confidence to the consumer that the products he or she is buying has value for his money”.
He appealed to Nigerians to always send feedback to SON, saying it will enable the organization to deliver more .
One of the manufacturers, Mrs Hannah appreciated SON for ensuring that all the standards are being complied and also
approving their companies.
The companies approved by SON are Mohzang Table Water,Jdoe pure soya oil, Lopab Foods and
HH Water. Others are Farm feast juice and yoghurt, NEXTEL Rice,and Amaco foam products.