Nigeria’s first indigenous automobile company, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM), has received a Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate from Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
MANCAP certificate, a certification awarded to companies that comply with Nigerian industrial standards requirement; to promote global competitiveness had been presented to management of Innoson Motors.
The event was held at Martina Chukwuma Event’s Hall, Umudim Nnewi, Anambra State.
Welcoming guests, Regional Coordinator of SON, South-East, Mr Williams Okpeh said that the event was aimed at rewarding manufacturing company for pursuing excellence in their production process, in line with internationally acceptable standards.
According to Okpeh, IVM’s decision to purse MANCAP certification is not only because regulation requires it, but because it wants to give assurance to customers that the brand can compete favourably with any other brand outside the country.
Presenting the certificate to the management of IVM, Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Mr Osita Aboloma said that the certification was established to ensure that locally manufactured products provide required degree of satisfaction to attest that the products conform with standards and had undergone intensive conformity assessment processes.
Aboloma said also that SON MANCAP certification mark to IVM had shown that the company had continually pursued excellence in their production processes using the Nigerian industrial standards.
He, however, reminded the IVM management that the certificate issued was a loan and would be recalled with attendant penalty, if conditions attached to the award were violated.
Congratulating company, National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Hajiya Saratus Iya Aliya, who was represented by National Vice-President of the body, Mr Humphrey Ngonadi, said that the MANCAP certification confirmed capacity of members of NACCIMA to meet required national and international standards.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, who was represented by Automotive Desk Officer of the ministry, Mr Samuel Adetoro, commended founder of IVM Mr Chukwuma for ensuring that his company received the certification.
The minister assured that the FG would continue to support local manufacturers with policies to encourage them to boost the economy.
Immediate Past Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr John Odumodu, said that the certification was a big plus for Innoson brand, noting that the certification would boost global competitiveness of their vehicles.
Senator Victor Umeh, Chieftain of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) condemned the attitude of Nigerians in preferring foreign products to made-in-Nigeria ones.
“Chukwuma is an achiever, who has turned his dreams into reality,’’ saying that it would soon become global brand.
The CEO IVM, Mr Chukwuma, pledged that the company would continue to keep to required standards; “I want Nigerians to take ownership of the brand, in order to promote Nigeria’s image.