SON unveils technical committee on facility standards

Chinazor Megbolu |

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Tuesday, inaugurated a National Mirror Technical Committee on Facility Standards.

The Federal Government agency said the unveiling is part of Nigeria’s passion to optimise benefits from international standards development on facilities management.

The Director-General, SON, Mr. Osita Aboloma during the inauguration at the virtual meeting in Abuja hinted that the process was geared towards harnessing industry knowledge in facilities and management in Nigeria.

He also added that the move is expected to contribute to international standards development for the benefit of country’s economy.

“The Committee is to mirror the activities of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Technical Committee TC 267 on Facility Management.

“It will harness views of experts in Nigeria as contribution to the development of the international standards for eventual domestication in Nigeria through adoption.

“The work of preparing International Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees, with qualified interested parties who are vastly knowledgeable in that field,” Aboloma said.

He explained further that the process would as well foster a level playing field for industry practitioners in a bid to remove barriers to global trade.

Aboloma, who was represented by the Director, Management Systems Certification Services, Mr. Felix Nyado, maintained that the nomination to serve in the committee was guided by the strategic collaboration SON has with various organisations and institutions represented by the members.

He urged the stakeholders to bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to bear in making valuable contributions that would make the standards on facility management affect the lives of citizens positively and promote trade within African continent as well as beyond.

While commending the committee members for their commitment, Aboloma said the move has provided a rich mix of knowledge and expertise required in reaching consensus in the elaboration of standards that were market driven and support sustainable economic development.

However, the committee had resolved to commence sitting on the draft standards with effect from August 25, 2020 in order to enable all members read through and be able to make meaningful inputs towards ensuring a conclusive and wholesome deliberation towards arriving at consensus.