EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCES OF THE STANDARD ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA (SON) IN ANAMBRA STATE

ABSTRACT

This study is basically concerned with the evaluation of the performances of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) with reference to Anambra State. The effort made in this direction in the past was given proper attention. Moving ahead, the researcher in his efforts aimed at carrying out a proper research made use of various methods/instruments or data sourcing and analysis, that comprised of primary and secondary sources of data which included face to face discussion, oral interviews, questionnaire and the use of relevant textbooks, magazine, journals, libraries, internet, etc. the research was conducted with a known total population of two million seven hundred and fifty thousand, and a determine sample size of four hundred relevant people. Equally, some research questions were put forward to direct investigation in conducting the research, while tables together with percentage were employed to provide comprehensive data presentation ad analysis. The findings from the study revealed among other things that the rate at which substandard products are imported into the country is very high.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                          i

Certification                                                                                                ii

Dedication                                                                                         iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                       iv

Abstract                                                                                            v

Table of Contents                                                                             vi

CHAPTER ONE; INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study                                                                   1

1.2     Statement of the Problem                                                                  2

1.3     Objectives of the Study                                                             3

1.4     Research Questions                                                                   4

1.5     Significance of the Study                                                                     4

1.6     Scope/Limitations of the Study                                                            4

Reference                                                                                             6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     Marketing and Consumer Satisfaction                                                  7

2.2     Consumerism and Consumer Protection in Nigeria                               9

2.3     Consumer Protection and the Establishment of SON                  17

2.4     Functions and Powers of SON                                                               21

2.5     Activities/Roles of SON in Consumer Protection in Nigeria        28

2.6     Facilitation of Imports/Exports and the SON                                        30

2.7     Standard Organization of Nigeria SON and Assurance of Standard  36

2.7.1  Procedure for Standards Elaboration                                                    38          

2.7.2  Procedure for the Award of the  NIS Certificate                      42

2.7.3  2007 Product Quality Certification                                         43

2.7.4  Quality System Certification                                                   43

Reference                                                                                          45

CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1     Sources of Data                                                                       47

3.2     Questionnaire Design                                                              48

3.3     Population Sample Size Determination                                   49

3.4     Method of Data Analysis                                                                  50

3.5     Validity and Reliability of Data                                              50

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1     Presentation and Analysis of Data from the General Public    52

4.2     Presentation and Analysis of Data from the Staff of SON                58

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1     Summary of Findings                                                              63

5.2     Recommendations                                                                             64

5.3     Conclusion                                                                              67

5.4     Area for Further Study                                                            67

Bibliography                                                                                    68

Appendix.                                                                                        72

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Man is always struggling to survive in his given environment. He is always conscious of making his life worth living on this planet earth. At every point in time, he is trying to produce those things that would make his life better. Not only is he producing to make his life better but also to better the lives of his co-habitators here on earth.

Elementary economics teaches us that human wants are insatiable. In effect, human nature is highly demanding of the good things of life. Unfortunately the means to satisfy these  wants  are very  limited, limited in the  area  of money, manpower and materials  to produce  and buy  these  need  satisfying wants.  The quest  to take  part in the satisfaction of these  wants  and  take part in  reaping the gains thereof, has resulted into mass  production of goods and  services.

This mass production of goods and services in most cases has tended to neglect certain attributes or qualities of the products as desired by the consumer. The scarcity of most of these goods especially in the  third world countries of which Nigeria is one, has therefore left the consumer at the mercy of the producers. He is left with no other option than in many cases to patronize the sellers of these unwholesome and sub-standard products. The  use  and consumption of such sub–standard products have led  to so many  negative  consequences  on the part of the  consumers  including collapse of building, house burning owning  to the use  of defective electrical devices  and in  some  extreme  cases death.

In the face of increasing awareness and technological breakthroughs, the world has become a global village, and the consumer can no longer afford to be toyed with. His rights have got to be protected both by self and the government of the day. Nigeria, quite aware of these development rose to “take the bull by the horn” by establishing many agencies whose aims are the protection of the consumers’ rights in the market place. One of these agencies is the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) which came into existence via decree N0. 56 of 1971 and amended decree N0. 18 of 1990. The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is charged with the responsibility of developing standards for commodities and products (goods and services for industries) and to monitor the enforcement of such standards.

It also implements the Federal Government’s Policies on standardization and quality assurance for all manufactured goods, local and/or imported as well as semi-processed goods throughout the country.

These tasks are what the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) which has its zonal office at the Independence Layout, Enugu,  was set up to achieve. The extent to which it has gone into achieving these onerous tasks/goals or otherwise is the concern of this researcher.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM