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SON targets 70 per cent emission reduction, commits to value creation

By Femi Adekoya
26 October 2022   |   2:38 am
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has announced plans to achieve a 70 per cent target reduction of emissions across its offices in the country.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has announced plans to achieve a 70 per cent target reduction of emissions across its offices in the country.

According to the Director General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, this is part of the body’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)


At a press conference to commemorate the World’s Standards Day, Salim said the agency in its budget for this year, did not acquire any generator to power its facilities, maintaining that most of its offices across the country have embraced the use of solar panels to generate power.

“In fact, our main headquarters in Abuja is particularly at the level where it is going to be completely run by renewables, where we use solar panels to produce electricity. We began working this out from our office in August last year and right now as we speak, we are often using solar panels to do the day-to-day activities. So as an organisation, I think we are leading the way to do things that we are supposed to do, to be advanced and sustainable.

“There is nothing more sustainable than the energy from the sun, which God has given to us for free. So, I am proud about the direction and trajectory of our organisation in that aspect and I am sure in the future, the organisation will be completely running on sustainable energy, even if it is 70 per cent,” Salim said.

The Director General said the theme of this year’s event tagged “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a precursor for growth” is apt, saying that job opportunities and wealth advancements are key to the realisation of the three major functions of SDGs which include the need to bring poverty to an end, creation of prosperity and climate protection.

He said: “It will be a good idea for Nigerians and the country in particular if more jobs and wealth are created by the citizens. Life itself is complimentary. We must strive to complement each other through the provision of amenities needed for the survival of our countries”.

According to him, Nigeria’s plans to achieve the provisions of SDGs would definitely come to fruition if all Nigerians support the government’s efforts to make the economy great and formidable.

He said SON in the realisation of the pivotal roles played by standards in the country, has announced plans to increase the tempo of its activities, by urging more companies to come for product certifications and standardisation.

He noted that 168 firms got certification from SON a few years ago, adding that more would also obtain the consent of the standards agency in order to deepen their growth and profitability.

According to him, SON is not happy with issues such as building collapse and its attendant havoc wrecked to society, adding that SON has made it an obligation to ensure the pre-testing of building materials thoroughly, with a view to check the ugly incidence.

Meanwhile, on food security and safety, the SON boss said it would strengthen its collaboration with partner organisations in the food industry to ensure that only quality food products are sold in the nation’s markets.

“It is part of our responsibility as a standard organization, but we also have other partner agencies such as NAFDAC, and FCCPC. We are working within our limits because, for example, our organization does not go into every single month and inspect food products. That is a responsibility of other organizations, but for important products that come across to us and they are substandard, we definitely work with customs and ensure that these products are not in the market”.

He restated its commitment to sensitising unsuspecting consumers about the negative impacts of patronising fake and substandard goods, noting that is part of its responsibility on a regular basis to raise the awareness of Nigerians on the impact of substandard goods in the country.

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