Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) yesterday issued a warning to local businesses operating in Lagos State to register their products or risk having their operations shut down or their goods seized in an effort to ensure that manufactured goods are produced in accordance with industrial standards and prevent substandard products from entering the market.
The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) was recommended by the Director-General of SON, Farouk Salim, during the presentation of certificates to Agiville Industry, a manufacturer of wheeled bins and plastic chairs, and he urged other businesses that have not yet certified their products to do so.
Salim, who was represented by Rabiu Kabir, the State Coordinator for Lagos State Office III, claimed that the opportunity to expand a company’s market across the nation and the sub-region of West Africa is provided by the award of a certificate following the registration and evaluation of a product.
“The journey to quality has no end and you should continually improve on your quality as the whole market in Nigeria are yours to cover,” he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Agiville Industries Limited, Victor Agidi, explained that one of their products, wheeled bin, was initiated to solve the challenge of waste disposal in Lagos.
He disclosed that all the raw materials for the production were locally sourced, which has the tendency to survive the country’s scorching sun.
He also said that the harsh economy, which has impacted negatively on the business may force the need to increase the price of their goods.