The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim, has emphasized the importance of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) as a vital tool for regulating the importation of high-quality goods into Nigeria. Mallam Salim made this assertion during his welcome address at a One-Day Sensitization Programme on SONCAP, a collaborative effort between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and COTECNA, an internationally accredited firm specializing in the conformity assessment of imported raw materials, machinery, and finished products. The event took place in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.
Represented by Mr. Usman Mohammed, Director of South South Operations, Mallam Salim encouraged stakeholders in the state to adhere to SONCAP’s requirements to facilitate trade, ensure the delivery of quality goods to Nigerians, and stimulate economic growth.
Under the theme “SONCAP: Facilitating Quality Imports into Nigeria for Economic Development,” Mallam Salim underscored the event’s purpose, which is to educate stakeholders about the importance of the SONCAP scheme in trade facilitation. He also highlighted that the forum aimed to address challenges and propose practical solutions.
Mallam Salim emphasized that the occasion served as a feedback mechanism for both SON and COTECNA to make regulatory interventions for the benefit of consumers and the nation’s economic progress.
He expressed his gratitude to the Cross River State Government and its citizens for their longstanding support of SON since its establishment in the state.
Mrs. Abigail Duke, the Cross River State Commissioner for Commerce, called for a more aggressive approach to export Nigeria’s Agro and Allied Products, particularly from the state. She expressed the state government’s willingness to collaborate closely with SON and COTECNA to facilitate the global export of Agro Allied Products. Mrs. Duke requested the establishment of a COTECNA office in Calabar to assist importers and potential exporters from Cross River State.
Mrs. Duke reiterated the state’s commitment to promoting mutually beneficial relationships with SON, including guidance for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to maximize the benefits of SONCAP and other schemes implemented by the organization. She urged participants at the sensitization program to cooperate with SON and COTECNA in facilitating quality imports, especially of raw materials and machinery.
Mr. Ade Adediran, COTECNA Country Manager, outlined the organization’s value-added services within the SONCAP scheme. He explained that COTECNA had been partnering with SON on the scheme for over a decade and had been operating in Nigeria since 1984. He emphasized COTECNA’s capacity to facilitate both quality imports and exports in and out of Nigeria.
The forum featured presentations on “SONCAP” by Mr. Tersoo Orngudwem, Director of Product Certification; “Standards Compliance and Enforcement” by Engr. Mamza Irmiya, representing the Director of Inspection and Compliance Department (ICD); “SON Product Offerings” by Engr. Felix Nyado, Director of Marketing; and “Activities of SON State Offices” by Engr. Ninma Apim, Cross Rivers State Coordinator.
Following the presentations, an interactive session engaged key stakeholders from various sectors of the economy, fostering active participation and discussion.
The event witnessed strong representation from federal and state regulatory agencies as well as security agencies in Cross Rivers State.
