Ekiti State Government has promised to reach an agreement with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to wage war against fake and substandard products, in order to boost economic development in the state.

Governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, dropped this hint in his remarks, at the commissioning of SON office complex and laboratory, held in the state last weekend, saying that partnering with SON is in line with his administration’s resolve to get rid of life threatening products in Ekiti

He explained that the full presence of the Organisation would complement the Economic Plan of the state government, urging companies and business owners to establish in the state, as they stand to gain from favourable government policies and the SON modern facility in the state.

According to him, Inauguration of the office and laboratory complex would boost socio-economic development, increase trade and Investment opportunities in the state.

“Ekiti people are known for maintaining standard when it comes to products and services.
We will not compromise standard and we are going to continue supporting SON in it’s regulatory responsibility, the governor stressed.”

In his welcome address at the occasion, the Director General of SON,
Mallam Farouk Salim, expressed joy over the commissioning of Ekiti permanent office and laboratory, in line with the agency’s new found vigor in fighting fake and substandard products in the country

According to Farouk, SON is currently on the path of closing the infrastructural gaps identified with wholesale completion of offices and /laboratory projects, saying that the commissioning of such facilities is in line with the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) plan.

He said SON will be glad to go into partnership with Ekiti State with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME).

“This is to effectively provide tailor made solutions through implementation of standards and codes of practices for value addition through quality assurance and good manufacturing practices,” he said.

He stressed that testing of products to relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and International Standards by SON laboratories means products from Ekiti State and environs can compete favourably locally and through export at the international markets, especially with the on-going implementation of AfCTA agreement.

The SON helmsman further stated that the new office and laboratory complex will reposition standardisation and quality assurance activities in the state, with a view to creating enabling environment for investments, production of goods and services to thrive.

He thanked Governor Fayemi for donating laboratory equipment and additional operational vehicle to enhance SON’s reach and technical assistance to all the nooks and crannies of the State