In line with its mandate to intensify the fight against substandard goods and products, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cross River, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina and Lagos states government to ensure quality, integrity and standards in their states. Director General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim made the disclosure in the Federal Capital Territory at a one day capacity building for Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CICAN, Abuja. He said the MOU would go a long way in strengthening the activities of SON with the States towards improving Small and Medium Enterprises, operating in the country as well as enable the states to be major players in the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA. The SON boss while noting that there has been serious engagement with Steel Industries to ensure standardisation towards putting an end to building collapse said about ten fake manufacturers have been arrested in the last nine months in Kano, Ibadan and Lagos and are being prosecuted. Some stakeholders spoke on the ills of substandard products to the economy. Earlier, Chairman, CICAN, Abuja Frederick Idehai stressed need for more partnership for an enhanced Products standardization and economic development of the country. The theme for the one day capacity building is, “Improved Synergy To Promote Standardisation”.
