ABSTRACT
This
study is basically concerned with the evaluation of the performances of the
Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)
with reference to Anambra
State. The effort made in
this direction in the past was given proper attention. Moving ahead, the
researcher in his efforts aimed at carrying out a proper research made use of
various methods/instruments or data sourcing and analysis, that comprised of
primary and secondary sources of data which included face to face discussion,
oral interviews, questionnaire and the use of relevant textbooks, magazine,
journals, libraries, internet, etc. the research was conducted with a known
total population of two million seven hundred and fifty thousand, and a
determine sample size of four hundred relevant people. Equally, some research
questions were put forward to direct investigation in conducting the research,
while tables together with percentage were employed to provide comprehensive
data presentation ad analysis. The findings from the study revealed among other
things that the rate at which substandard products are imported into the
country is very high.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE; INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 2
1.3 Objectives of the Study 3
1.4 Research Questions 4
1.5 Significance of the Study 4
1.6 Scope/Limitations of the Study 4
Reference 6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Marketing and Consumer Satisfaction 7
2.2 Consumerism and Consumer Protection in Nigeria 9
2.3 Consumer Protection and the Establishment of SON 17
2.4 Functions and Powers of SON 21
2.5 Activities/Roles of SON in Consumer Protection in Nigeria 28
2.6 Facilitation of Imports/Exports and the SON 30
2.7 Standard Organization of Nigeria SON and Assurance of Standard 36
2.7.1 Procedure for Standards Elaboration 38
2.7.2 Procedure for the Award of the NIS Certificate 42
2.7.3 2007 Product Quality Certification 43
2.7.4 Quality System Certification 43
Reference 45
CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Sources of Data 47
3.2 Questionnaire Design 48
3.3 Population Sample Size Determination 49
3.4 Method of Data Analysis 50
3.5 Validity and Reliability of Data 50
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Presentation and Analysis of Data from the General Public 52
4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data from the Staff of SON 58
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of Findings 63
5.2 Recommendations 64
5.3 Conclusion 67
5.4 Area for Further Study 67
Bibliography 68
Appendix. 72
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Man is always struggling to survive in his given environment. He is always conscious of making his life worth living on this planet earth. At every point in time, he is trying to produce those things that would make his life better. Not only is he producing to make his life better but also to better the lives of his co-habitators here on earth.
Elementary economics teaches us that human wants are insatiable. In effect, human nature is highly demanding of the good things of life. Unfortunately the means to satisfy these wants are very limited, limited in the area of money, manpower and materials to produce and buy these need satisfying wants. The quest to take part in the satisfaction of these wants and take part in reaping the gains thereof, has resulted into mass production of goods and services.
This mass production of goods and services in most cases has tended to neglect certain attributes or qualities of the products as desired by the consumer. The scarcity of most of these goods especially in the third world countries of which Nigeria is one, has therefore left the consumer at the mercy of the producers. He is left with no other option than in many cases to patronize the sellers of these unwholesome and sub-standard products. The use and consumption of such sub–standard products have led to so many negative consequences on the part of the consumers including collapse of building, house burning owning to the use of defective electrical devices and in some extreme cases death.
In the face of increasing awareness and technological breakthroughs, the world has become a global village, and the consumer can no longer afford to be toyed with. His rights have got to be protected both by self and the government of the day. Nigeria, quite aware of these development rose to “take the bull by the horn” by establishing many agencies whose aims are the protection of the consumers’ rights in the market place. One of these agencies is the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) which came into existence via decree N0. 56 of 1971 and amended decree N0. 18 of 1990. The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is charged with the responsibility of developing standards for commodities and products (goods and services for industries) and to monitor the enforcement of such standards.
It also implements the Federal Government’s Policies on standardization and quality assurance for all manufactured goods, local and/or imported as well as semi-processed goods throughout the country.
These tasks are what the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) which has its zonal office at the Independence Layout, Enugu, was set up to achieve. The extent to which it has gone into achieving these onerous tasks/goals or otherwise is the concern of this researcher.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
