NPA, SON Collaborate To Curtail Influx Of Substandard Imports
In a bid to promote the Import and Export Trade in quality products, while also ensuring that Nigeria is not shortchanged by the puvayors of substandard Imports. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to tackle the influx of sub-standard products into the country.
The strategic arrangement according to the two key federal agencies becomes crucial for the overall good of the nation’s economy and the safety of its people especially in tackling the importation of sub-standard products by promoting the circulation and sale of high quality products.
The Chief Executives of the two agencies expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to more gains in terms of employment opportunities, increased revenue to the Federal Government as well as substantial growth in the nation’s economy.
The Director General, SON Mallam Farouk Salim and Managing Director, NPA, Muhammed Bello-Koko with their management teams at a strategic meeting, Wednesday, in Lagos, agreed on the need for more effective collaboration and synergy to drive a result-oriented and seamless operations at the nation’s Ports.
The agencies also agreed to collaborate to promote speedy processing of goods for exports in furtherance of the Federal Government’s economic diversification policy especially for non-oil products.
Bello-Koko stated that SON’s technical expertise would be brought to bear
through its participation in the joint cargo inspection and examination for greater efficiency and subsequent detention of suspected substandard products.
“We will work with SON to ensure it discharges its duty effectively. I am sure SON will also work with other sister agencies without issues“, Koko said.
The NPA boss enjoined SON to play a more active role in the Export Processing Zones to fast-track Nigeria’s export drive for quality and competitive products across the Nation’s borders.
Muhammed Bello-Koko disclosed that both agencies would carefully scrutinize the personnel and equipment to be put to good use, sequel to the recent presidential approval for Export Processing Terminals.
Earlier on, DG, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim expressed regret at the challenge posed by the influx of substandard products to the concerted efforts of relevant agencies and stakeholders towards growing the nation’s economy.
To him, the influx of substandard imports has been partly responsible for the increased unemployment rate and poor wealth creation in the country adding that all hands should be on deck to reverse the negative trend.
He expressed SON’s readiness to avail its Management Systems Standards Certification and training services to NPA personnel to continually improve its efficiency in service delivery.
While accepting the SON offer of training and certification, the NPA boss requested SON input into the NPA Academy Curriculum.
He commended the SON’s leadership for piloting various initiatives to reposition the organisation in order to achieve its statutory mandate.
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