Nigeria develops ‘Conduits of Excellence’ for agric export

Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says the Federal Government has developed “Conduits of Excellence (CoE)’’ to ensure consistent and stringent quality management for all exportable products.
 
Olusegun Awolowo
Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council
Awolowo told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja recently that the Federal Government had also set up a committee for the realisation of the objective.

According to him, the committee will work under the technical guidance of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

He said the committee would also develop the code of practice and Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, for production and processing of selected products.

Awolowo explained that government initiated the National Quality Infrastructure Project, NQIP, and conduit of excellence to ensure that an enabling environment and materials were provided to enhance quality and standards.

According to him, the Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, has two new laboratories for product testing in the country.

He said the issues of packing and labelling were also being looked into in enhancing acceptability of Nigerian products in the international market.

“Under the Conduits of Excellence (CoE) and code of practice model, the appropriate use of agro-chemicals has been addressed. The model envisages a strong collaboration among farmers, extension officers, laboratory facilities, warehouse providers and marketers. It ensures that exporters can only source and export products from the CoE certified system.


“Already, an MOU has been signed among private sector operators under the CoE seamless working relationship.’’

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