The Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, John Enoh, states that the federal government is committed to advancing industrial growth in support of the nation’s development and economic progress.
Mr Enoh said that the present administration had initiated programmes through the promotion of standards and quality of locally manufactured products so as to encourage patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods for domestic use and exports.
The minister stated this when he inaugurated the newly constructed office complex of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria on Wednesday in Sokoto.
He stated that Nigeria’s economy’s journey towards industrialisation had faced significant challenges, including an acute energy shortage, poor infrastructure, inconsistent government policies, and over-reliance on oil revenue, among others.
Mr Enoh added that the present administration approached the matter of industrialisation of the nation with utmost seriousness and committed efforts through deliberate policies that would hasten the process of economic diversification.
According to him, the inauguration of the facility in Sokoto would not only expand the organisation’s activities from the state to all other neighbouring states, but it would also reduce the need to travel to Lagos and Enugu laboratories for analysis.
The minister urged SON to inspect substandard products and adopt a standard assurance culture by utilising the agency’s services, stressing that the government, through it, would continue the clampdown by arresting and prosecuting offenders in the overall interest of the citizens.
Governor Ahmad Aliyu described the new office complex as a milestone for industrial growth and consumer protection in the state.
Mr Aliyu said the new edifice symbolised national progress and reflected the state’s commitment to quality and standards. He promised that the state government would continue to partner with SON on promoting quality and standard products to safeguard the well-being of citizens.
The governor expressed optimism that the office would benefit farmers, traders, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers by bringing SON’s certification services closer to them.
SON’s director-general, Ifeanyi Okeke, said the new office complex and the laboratory would enhance the services of the organisation in certifying quality products for the use of the people.
Mr Okeke warned fraudsters and those involved in the production of substandard products that SON would not relent in its efforts to arrest, confiscate, and prosecute any offender or group of offenders who violate the laws relating to standards of goods and services in Nigeria.

(NAN)