SON decries Nigerians’ obsession for foreign goods

• Certifies indigenous paint manufacturer
• We are eyeing ECOWAS market, says group

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has deplored the high preference for foreign products, noting that the locally made goods can favourably compete with the imported ones.

SON’s coordinator for Edo/Delta, Mr. Ojo Ilesanmi Akogun, who was speaking during the presentation of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certification to the management of Revelation Paints in Benin City, Edo State at the weekend, said the organisation’s quest for quality products was already impacting positively on manufacturers.

“I still do not know why we dislike our own products. Go outside the shores of this country, they have an allegiance to their products. We try to make our products compete too, that is why we do monitoring compliance,” he lamented

Akogun said the certification was put in place to ensure that locally made goods conform to the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) before getting to the market.

Chairman of Revelation Group, Barrister Emmanuel Ogbebor, expressing joy on the occasion said: “We started just seven years ago and getting to this point was quiet difficult and at a point I almost became discouraged because of bigger paint producers in the country.

“We started as a challenge to other big companies. We planned to develop paints to meet the need of the common man and not put a hole in his pocket. We vowed to keep the standard whether we sell or not. To avoid adulteration, we ensure customers buy directly from us. Within the next few years, we will be asking for more certifications.

“We are not going to be counted among those that started but are no more. This is a Nigerian company with global standards. Soon, we will be looking at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) market and become a source of foreign exchange to this country.”