ONWARD PAPER MILL PLC TO PARTNER SON ON STANDARDIZATION
In her bid to consistently ensure quality standards in the paper manufacturing industry, Onward Paper Mill PLC is partnering the Standards Organization of Nigeria(SON) which is the regulatory body in charge of quality in Nigeria to evolve a superior class that meets international standards.
This was disclosed by the CEO of Onward Paper, Mr. Kunle Obagun during a business meeting with SON’s officials in Lagos. Mr. Obagun assured SON Director General/Chief Executive Mr. Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu of Onward’s continued partnership towards improving standards in the paper industry.
According to him, “Onward is continually rebuilding her business model towards satisfying the demands of the market at various levels. We therefore incessantly challenge existing industrial norms and standards whilst seeking methods of improving our ideals in order to maintain our leadership position.”
Obagun said that since the inception of Onward in the 70s, product quality and customer satisfaction has been her focus and positioning drive leading to investment in various strategic needs of the company for the ultimate satisfaction of the customers. He however added that there is room for improvement, thus the business meeting with SON.
Responding, the SON Director General noted that, since he assumed the helm of leadership five months ago, the organization has been working hard to resolve all issues promoting sub-standardization in the manufacturing sector. This is why the organization has been emphasizing compliance to Standards Organization of Nigeria’s Conformity Assessment Programs (SONCAP) so much.
Highlighting the danger inherent in dubious imports and manufacturing, the SON DG explained that Because of the substandard goods in the market, Nigerians are living in dangerous times. Today, the statistics of those dying as a result of bad products is increasing and that is why we are rubbing minds together on methods of removing all bad products that could kill, maim or cause loss of value for consumers.”
“It is our duty to protect Nigerians and we have to dialogue on identifying and removing both the bad products and the people behind them from among us,” he stressed.
Responding to the DG’s remarks that Nigerians should enjoy superior standards in all products they purchase, the CEO of Onward Paper; in his capacity as Chairman of the Paper Sector for the Manufacturers association of Nigeria (MAN) affirmed that manufacturers in the paper industry are willing to embrace recommended standards which ultimately give consumers best quality for their money on paper products.
Finally the DG of SON appreciating anticipated cooperation of paper manufacturers as expressed by MR Obagun, emphasized that much success will only be achieved when all concerned stakeholders come together under the umbrella of Public/Private Sector Partnership to implement standards that will benefit all Nigerians.
