SON Excels in PEBEC 2024 Mid-Year Compliance Report, Ranks Among Top Government Agencies
By Innocent Eneta
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has been recognized as one of the leading government agencies in terms of compliance and efficiency in public service delivery, according to the latest report by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). The 2024 Mid-Year Transparency and Efficiency Compliance Report, which covers the period from January to June 2024, placed SON second among 20 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), with a commendable score of 78.2%.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations at SON, Mrs. Foluso Bolaji, the agency’s performance was highlighted as a significant achievement, particularly in light of the ongoing bureaucratic challenges that often hinder public service efficiency. “Despite bureaucratic challenges and issues with consequence management persisting, for the January 2024 to June 2024 half-year reporting period, the top three performers are the Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) at 80.1%, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) at 78.2%, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) at 74.8%,” the report noted.
The PEBEC report also emphasized the progress MDAs have made in adhering to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and advancing their digitization efforts, which are crucial for improving service delivery. The positive trend was underscored by the significant increase in MDAs scoring above average—over 60% in this report compared to only 30% in previous evaluations.
Mrs. Bolaji highlighted that the outlook for efficient public service delivery remains promising, particularly under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which has shown a strong commitment to fostering a conducive business environment. “There has been significant improvement in the overall rankings,” she stated, adding that this is a reflection of the administration’s dedication to enhancing transparency and efficiency across all government sectors.
The Efficiency Compliance Ranking evaluates MDAs on several metrics, including adherence to SLAs, cost management, procedural efficiency, the One Government directive, and compliance with the Business Facilitation Act 2022. Agencies that consistently perform well in these areas are recognized for their high efficiency scores and their ability to meet or exceed customer expectations.
Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, the Director General and Chief Executive of SON, was also commended for his leadership in aligning the organization’s mandate with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for an industrialized nation. Mrs. Bolaji noted that Dr. Okeke remains committed to ensuring that SON continues to provide its services efficiently, for the overall benefit of the country.
“The dedication and commitment of SON’s staff, who work tirelessly towards the goal of ridding the nation of substandard products, are key to the organization’s sustained high performance. It is no wonder that SON has remained among the top three performing agencies for years,” she added.
As SON continues to excel in its mission, its role in upholding standards and fostering an environment conducive to business growth remains crucial to Nigeria’s ongoing development.
