Stanley Ihedigbo
Governor of the Ekiti, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has called on companies and business owners to established in their state, as Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), commissioned office complex and laboratory.
Speaking at the SON commissioning ceremony, Fayemi, said the full presence of the organization would complement the Economic Plan of the state government, urging companies and business owners to establish in Ekiti.
He further said the Ekiti government has promised to reach an agreement with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to wage war against fake and substandard products in other to boost economic development in the state.
“Partnering with SON is in line with my administration’s resolve to get rid of life-threatening products in Ekiti. The companies and businesses in the state will gain from favorable government policies and the SON modern facility in the state.
According to him, the Inauguration of the office and laboratory complex would boost socio-economic development and increase trade and investment opportunities in the state.
“Ekiti people are known for maintaining standards when it comes to products and services.
“We will not compromise the standard and we are going to continue to support SON in its regulatory responsibility,” the governor stressed.
In his welcome address at the occasion, the Director-General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim expressed joy over the commissioning of the Ekiti permanent office and lab in line with the agency’s newfound vigor in fighting fake and substandard products in the country
According to him, SON is currently on the path of closing the infrastructural gaps identified with the wholesale completion of offices and /lab projects, arguing that the commissioning of such facilities is in line with the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) plan.
SON’s boss stated they are glad to into partnership with Ekiti State by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME).
“This is to effectively provide tailormade solutions through implementation of standards and codes of practices for value addition through quality assurance and good manufacturing practices,” he said.
He stressed that testing of products to relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and International Standards by SON laboratories means products from Ekiti State and environs can compete favourably locally and through export at the international markets, especially with the ongoing implementation of the AfCTA agreement
The SON boss further stated that the new office and laboratory complex will reposition standardization and quality assurance activities in the state with a view to creating the enabling environment for investments and production of goods an services to thrive.
He thanked Governor Kayode Fayemi for donating laboratory equipment and an additional operational vehicle to enhance SON’s reach and technical assistance to all the nooks and crannies of the State.
