The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Imo State Office, on Wednesday, presented the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) and Product Identification Scheme (PIS) certificates to 14 manufacturing companies in the state.
The beneficiaries of the MANCAP Certification include Paulbert Crown Oil ltd., Kingdom Pride Investment Ltd., Orashi High and Low Tension Electric Concrete Pole and ACV Enterprise Ltd.
Others are City Cakes Studio and Events Ltd., NEGS Empire, Joy Foods by Koy, Jhules Confectionaries, Zenies Delight Ventures, and Medora Confections (PIS).
Three companies, namely ND Concrete Electric Pole High and Low Tension; VIN Electric Concrete Pole for High and Low, and ISMIK Poles Nigeria Company, received MANCAP Revalidation.
Presenting the certificates in Owerri, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting quality assurance.
He said the organization was committed to supporting local manufacturers to produce goods that meet the requirements of Nigerian industrial standards.
Okeke, represented by the state coordinator of SON, Mrs Comfort Echebiri, emphasised SON’s commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises through various initiatives.
He said such initiatives as subsidized standards acquisition, reduced testing and certification fees, and other interventions were aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of locally manufactured products.
“MANCAP is aimed at ensuring that all locally manufactured products conform to the relevant Nigeria industrial standards before such products are presented for sale in the Nigerian market or export.
“The scheme is also aimed at protecting confidence that made-in-Nigeria products provide values for money,” Okeke said.
He congratulated the recipients on attaining the feat, reminding them that the certification was subject to continuous compliance with established standards.
He, therefore, warned that the MANCAP certificates could be withdrawn if the companies deviated from the standards.
The SON boss urged other manufacturers yet to obtain certification to urgently do so.
Earlier, SON’s director in charge of the Southeast, Mr. Chuks Aharanwa, explained that the certification is valid for three years.
Aharanwa, represented by the organisation’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Paul Iorkyaa, said the organisation would periodically conduct factory inspections and laboratory testing to ensure sustained product quality.
“MANCAP certification enhances consumer confidence and facilitates greater market acceptance of products,” he said.
Responding, the director of Jhules Confectionaries, Mr. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, commended SON for its efforts in promoting standards and quality assurance among local industries.
Ukwuoma said the certification would help raise manufacturers’ confidence in the state.
Speaking later in an interview with newsmen, the marketing manager of Paulbert Crown Oil Ltd., Mrs. Theodosie Anunobi, commended SON’s diligence in ensuring that manufacturers’ products met standard requirements.
