The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on Saturday, awarded nine Enugu-based companies Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme Certificates (MANCAP) to ensure standardisation.

The companies were Vinox Plastic Company Limited, makers of Morive Table Water, Divine Rose Bakery Ltd, Malted Family Loaf, Idyllic Water Company, Noble Taste Nigerian Limited and Chifine Bakery Limited.

Others are Michelle Foods Enterprise Ltd., producers of Jigbo Instant African Salad, Aqua-Rapha Company Ltd, Hebron Production Company and Butter Barn Chin-Chin.

Presenting the certificates, the director-general and chief executive officer of SON, Ifeanyi Okeke, said the MANCAP policy was a trade facilitation scheme that would allow certified companies and brands to do business easily in the country.

The DG, represented by the Enugu state coordinator, SON, Francis Onyeji, said that it would also enable them to compete fairly nationwide as well as across international markets.

Mr Okeke explained that the award of MANCAP was pursuant to the organisation’s mandate to ensure that Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were in compliance with the Nigerian industrial standards to fit global competitiveness.

The DG said, “SON’s MANCAP certification is in line with its mandate of improving the totality of life through standardisation and quality assurance, and to ensure that manufacturers and consumers alike get value for their investments and money respectively”.

Mr Okeke reiterated SON’s commitment to its quality policy of providing standards and quality assurance to all products, services, and processes in Nigeria according to global best practices, which also ensured continual improvement.

He made it clear that only products that had consistently met the requirements of the relevant standard received MANCAP and were issued with a unique MANCAP logo number.

This, he informed them, would be valid for three years before revalidation, adding that they were given the award because of their consistency and dedication.

While congratulating the companies, the DG warned that the certificate could be withdrawn if they failed to maintain the requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standards.

The awardees, in appreciation, pledged their commitment to always conform to the requirements of the standard as well as strive for continuity for good quality products.

Emeka Nwachukwu, the managing director, Noble Taste Bakery Limited, expressed gratitude to SON for nurturing them to the point of certification, promising to maintain standards at all times.

Equally, the managing director, Michelle Foods Enterprise Ltd. producers of Jigbo Instant African Salad, Kingsley Okah, applauded and encouraged SON to continue assisting entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, to meet global best practices.

He pledged to put the certification award to good use.

(NAN)