SON Unveils eCertifcation Platform to Fight Fake Goods

STANDARDS Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has unveiled an e-certification platform in order to integrate the agency’s e-certificate into the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS).

Dr. Joseph Odumodu, director general of SON, explained that this move by SON is to ease trade facilitation and protect the clearance of cargoes at the port, while also seeking ways to minimise and possibly eliminate faking of SON’s certifcate.

Odumodu, represented by Mr. Sulaimon Issa, executive director, Head of Operations, SON, said the initiative would also create a collaborative environment for government agencies to share real time information on national security, planning and compilation of national statistics.

“Today’s occasion is for the enhancement of SON’s e-clearance processes. We are witnessing the integration of SON’s e-product certificate and SONCAP certificate which are now being tied to the relevant processes for the generation of form M and generation of PARR which are key for clearance of goods at the port,” he added.

“The integration will simplify trading, because in the past, you will need to get your manual certificate and later go to the bank, wasting man-hours. This platform is time saving and we are on the trade portal where you can see all the relevant regulations and the requirement of SON, check your certificate and also activate your certificate. In the course of generating your form M, you can also attach your certificate,” he stressed.

He said the integration of SON’s e-certifcate is part of the sensitisation programme, saying announcements are ongoing in the media to sensitise the general public on the agency’s recent developments to safeguard lives and property in the country.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Aber Benjamin, Comptroller, Information, Communication Department, Nigeria Customs Service, , said the programme is a completion of one of the very important processes to help surmount the challenges traders undergo when bringing in imports.