The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has recently launched a mobile calibration vehicle and measurement equipment in Rivers state. The Director-General of SON, Mr. Farouk Salim, announced the inauguration and sensitization of stakeholders during an event held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Mr. Salim, represented by Mr. Samuel Ayuba, the State Coordinator for SON, stated that the new equipment would enhance access and confidence in the testing of products in Nigeria, particularly in Rivers state. He emphasized that the launch of the equipment is in line with SON’s mandate on quality assurance and standardization.

Furthermore, Mr. Salim highlighted that SON is the apex standard body in Nigeria, responsible for coordinating all standardization activities in close collaboration with various stakeholders, including manufacturing companies, service providers, consumer associations, sectoral associations, and oil producing and servicing companies.

The introduction of the mobile calibration vehicle and measurement equipment is expected to enhance SON’s efforts towards ensuring that products in Rivers state and across Nigeria meet the required quality standards and provide increased confidence to consumers and stakeholders in the reliability of product testing.

“SON is also vested with the responsibility of formulating, issuing and enforcing the Nigerian industrial standards,” he said.

Salim stated that SON has recognized the need to bring accurate measurements to the doorstep of stakeholders in Port Harcourt, which is a hub of industrial and commercial activities in the oil and gas sector.

He emphasized that the mobile calibration equipment would enable manufacturers to measure and sell their products both locally and internationally, highlighting that calibration is crucial in resolving disputes in international trade.

Salim further stated that under his leadership, SON would offer calibration services to mobile laboratories and facilities to expand services across the country. He urged stakeholders in manufacturing and servicing companies to place orders or bookings for the mobile equipment to be taken to their sites for calibration in accordance with international best practices.

He assured that regular calibration would not only save lives but also promote economic development, especially in remote areas, thereby contributing to national economic growth. Salim also highlighted other benefits of the mobile calibration equipment, including its role as a catalyst for compliance monitoring and control of substandard products, promotion of mass production for industries and businesses, and facilitation of transactions in business, trade, and commerce.

Salim reassured stakeholders that the services offered by SON would be affordable when compared to the cost of sending products outside the country for calibration.

Mr. Mike Elechi, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), commended SON for its achievements and the inauguration of the equipment in the state. He stated that PHCCIMA represents all businesses in Rivers state and expressed that the state has long desired to have the calibration equipment, and its benefits to the people of Rivers are assured. He also pledged to sensitize PHCCIMA members on the benefits of the equipment for their businesses.

Mr. Adawari Pepple, Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Rivers/Bayelsa, represented by Mr. Mike Agana, also commended SON for deploying the equipment to Rivers state.

“All measuring devices require calibration, regardless of what you do, and measurement requires all human endeavours to get the right result,” Pepple said.

Pepple recommended that SON should hire skilled professionals to operate the equipment and also provide ongoing training for its staff to ensure high-quality services.

“I assure you that members of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa will patronise your services, I pray that the service charges are affordable,” he said. (NAN)