AfCFTA: MAN urges SON to take a position at borders
The Kano branch of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to position itself properly at the nation’s borders as the execution of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement begins.
National Vice President, North West Zone, MAN, Alhaji Ali Madugu, made the call in Kano when the Director-General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim visited Kano, emphasized the need for SON’s quality verification of all imported products including those from West African countries, even with the rule of origin in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
In his response, Salim said: “We need to partner with MAN to protect genuine manufacturers and legitimate importers by sharing intelligence to apprehend and prosecute standards infractions. With adequate consequences for actions, most people will follow the rules.”
He added: “We need a symbiotic relationship to succeed without loss of business and relevance. While I call for genuine partnership with MAN and other stakeholders, SON would not back down from implementing the law by diligent prosecution of standards infractions.”
