Relief for manufacturers as SON removes PRC as requirement for cargo clearing
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says its Product Registration Certificate (PRC) is no longer required for clearing cargoes at the country’s point of entry.
This move favours manufacturers and importers as facilitates speedy movement of cargoes.
Osita Aboloma, director-general, SON, explained that the new development was in line with the present administration’s ease of doing business mandate.
Aboloma said the move, which commenced on 1st November, was targeted at curbing the excesses of corrupt officials who take advantage of the PRC to constitute unnecessary delay of cargoes at the ports.
At a nationwide awareness programme to sensitise members of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) in Lagos on dangers of substandard products in circulation, he said PRC was still part of SON’s minimum requirements that must be met by both importers and manufacturers of goods, stressing that the removal from cargo clearance was to fast track cargo processes.
He stated the agency had also gone as far as reducing all its fees to encourage local manufacturers and attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country.
“The fight against the influx of substandard goods is continuous and as you can see, we have to bring the fight to the biggest market in West Africa. We are here to get the buy-in of importers and distributors in a bid to agree to work together as a team to curb the influx of substandard life-endangering auto spare parts into Nigeria.”
He appealed to importers and local manufacturers to comply with the minimum requirement of the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS), restating the agency’s commitment to protect investments.
“The government is diversifying from a single product economy into other products. So, we must encourage other sectors to grow; we must open up our doors to genuine foreign businesses and protect their investments. We are also calling on the public to report to SON whenever they see anything unwholesome. It is a win-win situation if people comply with standards because it will go a long way in boosting consumer confidence and increasing revenues of importers and manufacturers,” he said.
In acknowledging the vital role technology plays in global trade and seamless business transactions, the standards body has automated its processes to facilitate trade in the nation’s maritime downstream sector, he said.
Also speaking at the event, Daniel Offorkansi, president, ASPMDA, , said SON was vital in safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, adding that the association had set up a committee comprising of SON officials and ASPMDA members to combat the preponderance of fake and substandard goods in the country.
Tersoo Orngudwem, acting director, Product Certification, SON, said there were over 32 brand new laboratories in Nigeria available for testing and certifying products in the country, urging manufacturers and importers to feel free to bring their products for testing.
ODINAKA ANUDU