SON and Welding Federation Forge Partnership to Elevate Food Safety and Industrial Standards
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has officially unveiled a strategic partnership with the Welding Federation and Specialised Fabrication Equipment, marking a significant step toward advancing Nigeria's manufacturing industry. This collaboration focuses on the adoption of cutting-edge innovations, such as orbital welding, to ensure that sectors like food and beverages adhere to stringent international standards. The initiative was launched during a comprehensive workshop held at SON's Lagos office in Ikeja, which addressed contamination risks associated with deformed welded joints in processing equipment.
Aligning with Global Standards for Enhanced Quality
This programme is part of broader efforts to synchronise Nigeria's manufacturing processes with global benchmarks, ensuring that engineers, fabricators, quality assurance professionals, and plant operators implement best practices. Pius Manji Lawal, Special Adviser on Strategy to the Director-General of SON, emphasised the organisation's pivotal role in setting and enforcing standards, particularly in response to emerging technologies like orbital welding. He described orbital welding as a modern technique widely used in industries such as food and beverages, highlighting its advantages in maintaining hygienic production environments.
Lawal stressed that SON is committed to ensuring all products and services meet established safety and quality standards, with public health as a top priority. He noted that aligning production processes with internationally accepted standards is crucial to prevent Nigerian goods from being rejected in foreign markets due to quality issues. "The goal of orbital welding is to ensure products are wholesome and safe for Nigerians," Lawal stated, adding that SON is currently developing a specific code of practice for orbital welding. This code will outline detailed procedures and guidelines, with plans to eventually establish formal standards and certification processes for the technique.
Collaborative Efforts to Improve Safety Across Industries
Ayo Adeniyi, Executive Director of the Welding Federation, underscored the importance of this collaboration in enhancing safety standards and quality across Nigeria's manufacturing industries, particularly in the oil and gas, food, and chemical sectors. He explained that the partnership aims to foster a culture of excellence and innovation, reducing risks associated with substandard welding practices.
Somwine Emmanuella, Food Safety Lead Auditor at SON, spoke on the necessity of prioritising safe welding practices, emphasising that welding must comply with FDA and FSMA guidelines. These regulations require sealed, non-porous surfaces that are easy to clean, ensuring food safety and preventing contamination. Emmanuella's insights highlighted the critical link between welding integrity and public health, urging industry stakeholders to adopt rigorous standards.
Addressing Overlooked Risks in Manufacturing
Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of the African Local Content Organisation (ALCO), lamented that welded joints are often overlooked as potential risk points in sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. He warned that in today's global marketplace, compliance with standards like FSSC 22000 is increasingly non-negotiable. "Attention to fabrication details like weld integrity is no longer optional; it is essential," Ogunsanya remarked, stressing the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to mitigate risks.
This partnership represents a proactive approach to strengthening Nigeria's industrial landscape, ensuring that manufacturing processes not only meet local demands but also compete effectively on the international stage. By leveraging innovations like orbital welding and fostering collaboration between regulatory bodies and industry experts, SON aims to drive sustainable growth and enhance the safety and quality of Nigerian products.
