The State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko disclosed this on Tuesday in his office in Akure during a courtesy call on him by the Director General of SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu and his management team.
He noted that cocoa as one of the oldest cash crops in the country, which has contributed to the growth of the country's economy in the past, remains the major contributor to the nation's Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
Mimiko pointed out that revolutionizing cocoa production should cut across the whole cocoa value chain ranging from production through marketing to processing, adding that necessary arrangements are already in place to achieve better results in the state.
He advised the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to create ways of protecting local industries as the backbone of the nation's economy.
The Governor also commended the organization's management for its untiring efforts at heightening the consciousness of Nigerians at waging war against substandard products.
According to him, local entrepreneurs were being confronted with numerous challenges, stressing that concerted efforts must be intensified to boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria through local industrialization..
He assured that his administration would partner the organization to prevent the country from being flocked with substandard products that are injurious to health and living standard of the people.
Earlier in his speech, the Director General of SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, who noted that the organization had set standard for Nigeria in the global market, added that National Coalition on Zero Tolerance to Substandard Products would soon be launched in the country.
He stressed that importation of substandard products into the country had resulted into death of many people, noting that the organization would not relent in the fight against the economic saboteurs.
Odumodu, however appreciated the state government for the provision of office accommodation free of charge and also requested for the allocation of land to enable the organization build a permanent office and regional laboratory in the State.
Culled from OndoTV
Thanks
