By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The European Union (EU) has applauded the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for rapid transformation and evolution into a world competing Institute of Metrology and Instrumentation.
The Head of Corporation at the EU Delegation in Abuja, responsible for Nigeria and West Africa, Mr. Massimo De Luca, made the commendation on Thursday in Enugu during an inspection tour to NMI Headquarters at Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu.
Luca, who led an EU delegation to the visit, also applauded SON’s NMI for landmark achievements and being outstanding as an institute of repute over the years.
He explained that the Union wanted to know how the NMI had grown over time, stating that “quality infrastructure remains the key area of interest for support from the EU”.
According to him, the Union is about to start a new regional programme on Quality Infrastructure with UNIDO that will focus on specific industrial products and opportunities in the region which will lay a foundation to re-invest in Industrial Metrology.
Luca suggested that the NMI needs to link, apply and make relevant, the industrial metrology to the procedures of the industrial products and services to achieve national development throughout the sector.
He added that the NMI needs to have a “handshake” with the industry and establish strong bond through collaboration and common industrial synergy.
“The EU Corporation is willing to continue supporting Quality Infrastructure through their implementation partners UNIDO, ranging from Standards, Accreditation, Calibration, Certification and Industrial Metrology,” he said.
Receiving the EU delegation, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, expressed delight in having the Union at the institute to see how far the NMI had fared since their last delegated visit few years ago.
Okeke, represented by the Head of NMI Operations, Engr. Samuel Ayuba, told the delegation that the NMI had made great progress in Quality Service delivery, since the institute moved to its permanent site.
“For years now, the NMI has made serious and measurable improvement in its laboratories and equipment, accreditations and staff capacity building and more to sustain its position as an exceptional and mandate delivery institute,” he said.
The visit was concluded with a tour of NMI infrastructure and laboratories including Mass, Pressure, Electrical, Chemistry, Length/Dimension and Flow as well as Mobile Laboratory Vans and Forklift Automobiles at the SON Complex in Emene, Enugu.
It would be recalled that EU is a major sponsor of the NMI Quality Infrastructure through their implementing partner, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), a United Nations agency that promotes industrial development and sustainable development globally.
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