LAGOS, (Sundiata Post) – As part of its efforts towards enhancing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operations and increase local production, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Mr Aboloma Osita, Director General, SON said the strengthening of the MoU between the two organisations was a move to encourage more SMEs that do not have the capacity to cope under the harsh economic environment, adding that the collaboration will help small business owners get waivers and concessions to support their businesses in order to create job opportunities and wealth for the country.
The Director General during a courtesy visit by MAN members, explained that both organisations although have an existing MoU, which does not meet the present day reality. He said “This collaboration will help both organisations to rub minds and know how we can rearrange the terms of our existing MoU to meet our present day reality.
“We will need to review some of our rates to accommodate more SMEs at the bottom of the pyramid. We will look at areas where we can help these SMEs who cannot survive the present day realities with waivers and concession. We are going to be focused on mainly SMEs and other sectors you come up with. We will also key into the government’s agenda which is ease of doing business thereby making life easy for people doing business in this recession.”
The SON DG said the country is going through a difficult time and would require lots of sacrifice and thinking outside of the box to get the nation out of the economic downturn, adding that partnerships such as this is the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrial revolution.
“MAN is no doubt the most coordinated and organised partnership we have in Nigeria. It is the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrial revolution. Our duty as an agency is in two folds, which is to encourage members of MAN by protecting your investment while also giving guidance to quality assurance and also safeguarding you from unfair competition from influx of substandard goods,” he said.
He pointed out that SON will establish a technical committee that will comprise both SON and MAN staff to come up with a more practical MoU expected to make life better for both parties and the economy at large.
Earlier in his speech, the Director General, MAN, Mr. Segun Kadir, said the collaboration is aimed at strengthening the good relationship both institutions have built over the years, stressing the need to come up with a new MoU to tally with current global trend.
“We are also here to find ways on how we can work more closely so that going ahead with our relationship will be deeper. We are in full support about the review of the MoU, because it will go a long way to resolve issues relating to standards and would create a more symbiotic relationship between both parties and also in the best interest of the entire citizenry,” he maintained.
He stressed the need to analyse how the manufacturing sector of the economy is faring, saying that manufacturing is key to economic growth, as capacity utilsation has to increase with investments, given the necessary encouragement it deserves.
