By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), South-East Region, has engaged members of the Enugu State Supermarket Owners Association in an interactive sensitisation programme aimed at strengthening standards compliance, protecting consumers and promoting the sale of certified products.
The engagement provided an opportunity for SON officials to educate supermarket operators on regulatory requirements, product certification and measures to prevent substandard goods from entering the marketplace.
The Director, South-East Region, SON, Mr. Chukwuma Aharanwa, who represented the Director-General/Chief Executive, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, urged supermarket owners to prioritise products bearing the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) logo.
Aharanwa reaffirmed SON’s commitment to working with businesses to improve compliance, support local industries and promote fair trade.
Speaking on behalf of the Enugu State Coordinator, the Chief Standards Officer and Head of the Market Surveillance Department, Mrs. Ugwu Ebele Imelda, explained the responsibilities of the newly established Market Surveillance Department.
She also educated participants on the distinguishing features of the old and new MANCAP logos, while assuring them that SON would continue its market surveillance activities to protect consumers and ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
During the interactive session, supermarket owners sought clarification on several issues, including SON’s regulatory responsibilities, the difference between SON and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), support available to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and how to identify genuine MANCAP logos.
SON officials also highlighted various government-backed support initiatives available to businesses, including subsidised certification, discounted laboratory testing and capacity-building programmes.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Supermarket Owners Association, Chief Frank Nadi, expressed appreciation to SON for the sensitisation programme and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to collaborating with the Organisation to eliminate substandard products from the market.
The engagement further strengthened the partnership between SON and supermarket operators in Enugu State, with both sides committing to sustained market sensitisation, improved standards compliance and enhanced consumer protection.
