The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has presented its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate to the first indigenous motor manufacturing company in Nigeria, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing company (IVM).
The Director-General of the organisation, Mr Osita Aboloma, accompanied by some senior members of the management staff, made the presentation at the company’s headquartes on Thursday in Nnewi.
Aboloma said the certificate was a testimony that vehicles produced by the company complied with the required local and international standards.
He said the organisation went through intensive conformity assessment processes to ensure that vehicles produced by the company met the requirements stipulated in the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) before the presentation.
“This award shows that the company has gone through rigorous process of inspections and quality assurance in the last five years or even more.
“IVM has demonstrated compliance with relevant product standards and is providing products that meet consumer expectations and offer value for money, among other benefits,” Aboloma said.
Also, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Richard Adeniyi, whose address was presented by a staff member of the ministry, Mr Samuel Adetoro, said the certificate marked an important milestone for IVM.
“With the MANCAP certificate, IVM has entered the league of big automobile industry among its peers in Africa and by extension globally,’’ he said.
In her remark, Hajiya Saratu Iya-Aliyu, the National President of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, said the association was delighted over the certification given to IVM.
She called on Nigerians to patronise IVM products and other made-in-Nigeria goods, saying it was the only way to strengthen the nation’s economy.
Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman, Innoson Group of Companies, said he was happy with the award, adding that “rather than lower the present standard, IVM will continue to improve’’.
Chukwuma recalled that when he began the production of IVM, things were difficult, but said he was glad that the brand had now become a pride to Nnewi, the Southeast zone and Nigeria in general.
