Iron rod and steel dealers in the country, under the aegis of the Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) have asked the new Director-General for the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukuwnonso Okeke, to foster a culture of excellence in product standardization throughout Nigeria.
In a statement by the national president of the union, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, the people congratulated the newly appointed Director General of the SON, describing the appointment as a welcome development.
“As Nigeria continues to grow and diversify its economy, it is essential that our nation’s industries comply with international standards, ensuring the safety and quality of products both locally and globally.
“We firmly believe that the appointment of Dr. Okeke will bring a renewed focus on the fight against the proliferation of substandard products, which has been a concern for both consumers and businesses alike.”
Awoyale, who commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to stabilising the production sector, said that the step would help to reposition the sector to improve quality that will position the country on the global map as a go-to place for quality products.
He also reassured the newly appointed DG of readiness to collaborate with the organization in the fight against substandard steel production in order to ensure that steel products in Nigeria meet the required standards, increase competitiveness, ensure safety of lives and deliver enhanced value to consumers.
“We encourage Dr. Okeke to collaborate closely with industry stakeholders to develop rigorous monitoring and enforcement strategies. This collaboration will help deter and penalize businesses that engage in the production and sale of substandard products that pose risks to health, safety, and the environment, in line with provisions of relevant laws.
“We also encourage the new DG to explore partnerships with international organizations and institutions with expertise in quality control standards. Such collaborations can provide SON with the opportunity to leverage the best practices from around the world, bridge knowledge gaps, and enhance the capabilities of local businesses.
“We firmly believe that under Dr. Okeke’s capable leadership, SON has the potential to become a key driver in reshaping Nigeria’s product quality landscape and bolstering the nation’s reputation in international trade,” he said.
Awoyale also acknowledged the challenges faced by the SON under its immediate past leadership, where, according to him, compliance processes were compromised.
He, however, expressed optimism that under Okeke’s watch, the SON will reawake its commitment to restoring trust in the organization and rebuild its reputation as a robust and effective regulatory body.
“We urge the new DG to prioritize a comprehensive review of SON’s internal processes and procedures to identify areas for improvement and strengthen compliance mechanisms. By enhancing transparency and accountability within the organization. SON can regain the confidence of stakeholders and demonstrate its commitment to upholding the highest standards.
“We admonish Dr. Okeke to cultivate a culture of ethical conduct and professionalism among SON personnel. This can be accomplished through rigorous training programmes and the establishment of clear guidelines and protocols for assessing compliance and conducting inspection,” he said.
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