The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has awarded the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates and logos to 13 aluminum roofing sheet manufacturers in Imo, to bolster the industrial sector.

The Director-General of SON, Mr Ifeanyi Okeke, represented by the agency’s Director, South-East Regional Operations, Mr Chukwuma Aharanwa, presented the certificates and logos to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Owerri.

Okeke said the move was part of a strategic national roadmap to sanitise the construction industry and position Nigerian-made products for global competitiveness.

Highlighting the critical economic weight of Nigeria’s aluminum sector, the director-general revealed that the sector was projected to reach an annual valuation of 700 million US Dollars by 2030.

Okeke further said that the growth was anticipated by a compound annual growth rate of 5.7 per cent.

“This is driven by rapid urbanisation and a housing deficit estimated at over 16-17 million units.

“By ensuring these products meet the Nigerian industrial standard, we are not just protecting buildings, we are safeguarding an industry that drives employment and infrastructural development across the federation,” he said.

Okeke said SON’s current initiatives are strictly aligned with the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First Policy” for the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises by making quality certification more accessible.

The SON boss outlined several subsidised interventions currently offered by the agency to support local manufacturers including subsidised laboratory testing, sale of standards and certification charges, among others.

While congratulating the certified companies, Okeke warned against complacency, noting that the MANCAP certificate was not a permanent shield but a “trust-based license” that must be revalidated every three years.

“We will undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling, and laboratory testing to ensure standards are maintained.

“The certificates issued today shall be withdrawn or suspended if products fail to meet minimum requirements,” he warned.

The SON boss urged other manufacturers in the South-East region and across Nigeria to formalise their operations.

“The benefits of the MANCAP logo goes beyond regulatory compliance, offering a global passport for Made-in-Nigeria goods to enter international markets and provides consumers with the value for money confidence that their roofs will withstand the elements,” he added.

Okeke reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to using the “full weight of the law” against sub-standard producers who sabotage the economy by flooding the market with inferior, life-threatening building materials.

In her speech, the state Coordinator of SON, Mrs Comfort Echebiri, described the MANCAP certificate and logo as a “prestigious achievement,” praising the companies for successfully attaining the status.

Echebiri emphasised that the award promotes the “competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products” in global markets, ensuring local goods met the highest standards for the nation’s “teeming population.”

The coordinator reaffirmed SON’s commitment to “achieving sustainable development for the nation,” commending the manufacturers for satisfying the “stringent conditions” required to earn the certification.

In their separate responses, the state Chairman of Aluminum Corrugators Association, Mr Marcel Odunze, and the Managing Director of AIFY Global Aluminum Ltd., Mr Ifeanyi Nwagu, expressed delight over their certification.

The Chairman praised SON’s resilience towards ensuring standards, assuring the agency of sustained cooperation to serve Nigerians with good and quality products.

Odunze, who is the Managing Director of Max Aluminum and Allied Product Ltd., emphasised that the certificate and logo was a “big challenge” to maintain the credibility and quality.

On his part, Nwagu described the certificate and logo as an “acceptance and encouragement from SON on the impact of our aluminum roofing sheets in the construction industry.”

“We know there’s so much competition, and we know the standards, but as much as possible, we will minimize our margin, yet will not lower the gauge,” Nwagu said.

Out of the 13 companies certified by the agency, five were awarded new certificates while eight others had their certificates revalidated.

The companies awarded certificates were Max Aluminum and Allied Product Ltd., Ebony Shelters Trading Nig. Ventures, Ugotex Roof & Shelters Enterprise, Romark Aluminum Company Nig. Ltd., and U2 Aluminum System Enterprise.

Those whose certificates were revalidated included AIFY Global Aluminum Ltd., Vinal Aluminum Products Ltd., Agunwa Aluminum Industry Big. Ltd., and Ejims Akirika Aluminum Ltd.

Others are Manchuks Aluminum Products Ltd., SICO Global Enterprises, Divine Gate Aluminum Products Ltd., and Sky Aluminum Manufacturing Company Ltd.