The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in collaboration with one of the International Accredited Firms undertaking its offshore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP), COTECNA, recently held a one-day sensitisation programme on seamless importation and clearance of cargo for importers, manufacturers and dealers in Aba.
Welcoming participants to the programme, SON Director-General, Farouk Salim, said the objective of the programme was to provide adequate information and guidance to importers, manufacturers, distributors and suppliers involved in importation of finished goods, raw materials and machinery in Abia State and environ.
Salim reiterated SON’s commitment to assisting Nigerian businesses undertake seamless importation of top quality finished goods, raw materials and machinery.
Represented by the Director, South East Operations, Fred Akingbesote, the SON Chief Executive admonished stakeholders to adhere strictly to the SONCAP procedures for all regulated products to guarantee the quality from the countries of origin before making financial commitments.
According to him, adherence to the SONCAP procedure will protect the importers from substandard imports, fast-track the cargo clearance process on arrival, and promote repeated patronage of such products by consumers.
Salim also assured Nigerians of adequate protection from the menace of imported substandard products, adding that SON is collaborating with sister agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority among others to effectively regulate imported products from all points of entry.
Adherence to the SONCAP procedure will protect the importers from substandard imports, fast-track the cargo clearance process on arrival, and promote repeated patronage of such products by consumers.
Regulated products
Addressing the gathering, Country Manager, Ade Adediran, pledged COTECNA’s technical support and guidance to all intending importers of SON regulated products into Nigeria from any part of the world through its wide global network of internationally accredited laboratories and certified Inspectors.
Adediran highlighted his organisation’s role as a third party verification agent for all SON regulated finished products, raw materials and machinery being imported into Nigeria with decades of experience in similar activities for many countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Americas.
He said COTECNA will leverage its almost ten years’ collaboration with SON on the offshore conformity assessment to assist Nigerian Importers meet all laid down requirements for seamless importation.
He also assured the participants of COTECNA’s accessibility across Nigeria to promptly address the concerns and observations from all its present and prospective customers in the country.
Also speaking, Abia State Commissioner for Industry, Mrs Uwaoma Olewengwa, commended SON and COTECNA for the initiative and called for more of such sensitisation programmes across the State.
She urged the participants to take maximum advantage of the opportunity to clear their doubts and get clarifications on grey areas to enhance their business prospects.
Papers were presented on SON services including, the SONCAP, Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme for certification of locally manufactured products, electronic products registration, Ports and Borders Clearance procedures as well as standards enforcement, seizures and prosecution of infractions.
The occasion was graced by several regulatory authorities including NAFDAC, NESREA, NSCDC, National Board for Technology Incubation among many others.
