Minister inaugurates SON laboratory centre in Bauchi

The Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagum on Thursday inaugurated the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), North-East regional laboratory centre in Bauchi.

She said the facility was designed to ease product analysis and bring quality services closer to entrepreneurs in the region.

Katagum said the lab centre was part of a well conceived plan to bring the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) closer to testing services to meet their needs.

The minister stressed the need for the facility to focus on oil and gas lab analysis in view of the successful exploration at the Kolmani oil field located on the border between Bauchi and Gombe States.

She reitrated government commitment to economic diversification through ease of doing businesses.

The Director-General, SON, Dr Farouq Salim said the lab centre was part of strategies adopted to make organisational operations in tandem with its objectives.

He said the siting of the laboratory in Bauchi was sequel to collaboration between the Bauchi government and relevant agencies, which placed it above other states in ease of doing business.

The SON boss called on business owners to utilise the facility to standardise their products.

In his remarks, Gov. Bala Mohammad pledged continued support to Federal Government’s programmes for sustainable development in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Baba Tela, the governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for viable projects executed in the state.