SON Tasks Steel Manufacturers On Product Improvement
By Lucy Ekpenyong
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called on steel manufacturers to improve and be honest in the calibration of equipment used in the production of steel rods and reinforcement bars or face a clampdown by the standards body.
Speaking recently in Lagos, Farouk Salim, Director-General, SON, emphasized that there is no hiding place for steel manufacturers who do not calibrate their equipment adding that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure compliances as regards measuring instruments.
The DG confirmed that SON presently prides itself of international quality measuring instruments to ensure compliance to the standards of equipment used in the steel, maritime, Oil & Gas and other industries.
He further added that all weigh bridges, universal textile machines among others, must be calibrated with a view to achieve equity in business, while also ensuring that products do not fall short of the requirements of the standards.
“This means Nigerians will be happy to use the products to build structures that will stand the test of time to stem the incidences of collapsed. This way, consumers will get value for their money; manufacturers will be happy because they are producing their products to mean the requirements of SON, he said.
Director National Metrology Institute (NMI) Mr. Bede Obayi informed that the institute is strategically positioned to deliver highest accuracy standard measurement in Nigeria. “SON is proud to equip the NMI to serve Nigeria in the areas of measurements and this is why the Federal Government has directed that all weigh bridges that are on the highways of Nigeria, at the ports, sea ports and all the other entry points in Nigeria are properly calibrated “This is alongside those that are used in steel factory and all the other products where measurements are carried out, be it in pressure, mass and all the other parameters”, he stressed.
Continuing, he pointed out that the National Metrology Institute (NMI has procured some calibration equipment on pressure and temperature and is currently embarking on awareness and sensitization on the activities and importance of calibration particularly in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Time is no longer on the side of the country to put in place credible and reliable metrology infrastructure to make Nigeria take its rightful place in Africa and contribute to the wellbeing and respect of its people, especially in the AfCFTA”, he said.
