As part of the drive to boost aviation cargo exports, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) through its Aviacargo Roadmap Committee has conducted a tour of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) laboratory facilities in Lagos State.
The tour was aimed at ascertaining their quality and how to leverage on their services to boost aviation cargoes in Nigeria.
The Aviacargo Committee has been working since last year to remove impediments to cargo exports in Nigeria.
Stakeholders have expressed displeasure that many cargo planes flying into Nigeria with imported items always return empty.
Standardisation is one of the impediments identified by the cargo committee as Nigerian exporters are expected to meet certain standards before their items, whether food items or consumables, are accepted in the global market.
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FAAN Managing Director, Mr. Kabir Mohammed and the cargo committee chairman, Mr. Ikechi Uko were in the team.
SON Director of Laboratory Services, Mr. Richard Adewunmi, said the agency is critical in order to put Nigeria’s certified products on a global pedestal.
He said, “SON is internationally accredited, for instance, there’s a standard required for training and it’s the same globally but we need more partnership with other countries to enhance the marketability of our certified products.”
Adewunmi also stressed that there is no conflict between SON and the NAFDAC, the agency in charge of food and drug certification.
Uko said Nigeria has good products with necessary regulatory and certification agencies but lacks good branding and promotion.
Laboratories visited within the SON facility include the lightning testing lab, cement testing lab, cable testing lab, generator, refrigerator, meter, battery crude fiber, cosmetics and alcohol testing laboratories, among others.
