Stakeholders, on Monday, called for review of the Act establishing Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in line with modern realities.
The stakeholders, made the call while delivering their goodwill messages at the 50th anniversary of SON in Abuja.
They said while the agency had reinvented itself over the years, a review of its act would go a long way in expanding its capacity.
The stakeholders said that the organisation had raised the bar, with regard to its quality of service, thus earning it the best government agency on ease of doing business.
Minister of State for Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, said it was high time the act was reviewed to further empower SON to deliver on its mandate.
He promised to render necessary assistance to ensure that the act was reviewed.
El-Yakub said: “Your law needs to be reviewed to upscale your standard.
“I will work with you as a former member of House of Representatives and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).”
Prof. Martins Emeje, Head, Research and Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), said that the review of SON act was long overdue.
He said other than empowering the agency to function appropriately, there should be provision for research and development that would enable it develop the capacity to meet up with evolving challenges.
“There should be provision for synergy among NAFDAC, SON, NIPRD and other agencies of government that carry out similar functions for better results,” he said.
Emeje, while congratulating SON on its 50th anniversary, assured of NIPRD’s continued cooperation in the discharge of its duties.
The acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze congratulated the agency on its achievements in the last 50 years.
She said that the functions of SON and NAFDAC were critical to national development.
“NAFDAC and SON are like Siamese twins because of our overlapping functions. As such, we will continue to partner to ensure standardisation,” the NAFDAC boss said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SON was established by Act No. 56 of December 1971, with the mandate to prepare standards relating to products, measurements, materials, processes and services.
The organisation also has the mandate to issue certification to products as well as assist in the production of quality goods and services, among others.
