Joseph Alex Offorjoma, chief executive officer of Forgo Battery Company Limited, located in Ilorin, Kwara State, wants the government to support local manufacturers, asking it to tackle the influx of fake and substandard batteries finding their way into Nigeria.
Afforjoma, who canvassed this at the official presentation of Mandatory Conforming Assessment Programme MANCAP certificate to his company by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON ), called on the government to support local manufacturers by patronising them. “We are well backed with foreign technical partners, so, we are focused on delivering the very best quality batteries that will compete anywhere in the world,” he said.
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Speaking on counterfeit products and the need for government to support manufacturers in the country by seeing them as partners in progress, he said, “We are happy that SON is rising to the challenges to rid the market of sub-standard products. For us, the bulk of sub-standard goods are imported into this country. With SON readily on the ground, I encourage Nigerians to continue the campaign for made in Nigeria quality.
“We hope the government procure the home-made products because with the SON on the ground to regulate the standards. They should enforce or follow with the procurement of products made in Nigeria because they cannot get any better product elsewhere,” the CEO said. On challenges confronting manufacturers in the country, Offorjoma said: “The problems of multiple taxations, high cost of operation, and foreign exchange instability, among others, are always there. We urge the government to help industries in these areas.”
He promised that Forgo batteries will continue to maintain standards and not disappoint its customers. Sunday Yashim, coordinator, SON, Kwara State, said SON’s mandate is to promote the sustenance of quality and it is looking forward to maintaining high-quality products from Forgo Battery Limited. Yashim, represented by Damilola Ayanda, said the objective of every business is to make a profit, promote and expand.
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“Forgo Batteries, over the years, has worked with SON in ensuring its products reach acceptable quality and they pass surveillance conducted on them each year. “Given this, the SON is awarding six brands of Forgo batteries with MANCAP certificates. These are; Solar Power, Forgo Gold, Auto Adamant, Speed Energy and Power Plus. He assured continuous monitoring of the certificate and warned that SON can withdraw it if the company’s products lack conformity to minimum standards.
In his address of welcome, Tunji Ibiyemi, general manager of the company, explained that Forgo Battery Campany Limited, being an innovative establishment, is an emerging major player in the automotive battery business in Nigeria, due to its passion for consistent product quality. “This has made us become a manufacturer of quality brands that have the endorsements of Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) and Automobile Electrical Workers Association of Nigeria (AEWAN),” Ibiyemi said.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
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