SON ENUGU State Conducts Phase-Two Certification Inspection Of IFAD VCDP Rice And Cassava Processing Centres in Udenu and Enugu East LGAs

The Director-General/Chief Executive of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, ably represented by the Enugu State Coordinator, Engr. Peter Ameh reaffirmed Management’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and hitch-free certification process for IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) beneficiaries under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

In line with this directive, the SON Enugu State Office carried out a phase-two factory inspection of cassava processing centres at Umueze Umagan in Udenu LGA and Akor Nike in Enugu East LGA, guiding the cooperative groups towards compliance with the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).

Speaking during the inspection, the Lead Inspector, Dr. Mrs. Frank-Makwe Rita Ijeoma, Assistant Chief Standards Officer (ACSO) and MANCAP Desk Officer, commended the cooperatives for laying a solid foundation for standardization while identifying areas for improvement, including installation of window nets, provision of a bigger fire extinguisher, replacement of woody machines with stainless steel equipment, provision of personal protective equipment, establishment of a quality control laboratory for in-house testing, proper fumigation of the environment, and installation of heat extractors.

The inspection team comprised Senior Standards Officer, Mrs. Anidebe Sandra; Standards Officer I, Mrs. Agu Lilian; Standards Engineer I, Engr. Mrs. Okechukwu Chinenye; and Standards Officer I, Mr. Eze Henry Chikwado. Also present were the State Business and Market Development Officer, IFAD VCDP Enugu, Mr. Omeje Arinze, alongside IFAD VCDP and cooperative members.