The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) says that the National Quality Infrastructure Project (NQIP) will boost the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy in the international market.

The project was designed to put in place necessary infrastructure and international regulatory framework that will create global acceptance of Nigeria’s products and services.

The Chief Technical Advisor of UNIDO, Dr. Charles Malata made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

“The main objective for the National Quality Infrastructure Project,” he explained, “is to boost competitiveness of the Nigerian economy vis-a- vis the international markets.

“And all the work that is being done under the project is aimed at improving the competiveness of the local industry.

“On one side, what we are trying to do is ensure that the commodities that are produced can meet the best international standards, best international practices that are there.”

NAN recalls that some Nigerian products were disallowed from entering some international markets due to poor standards and quality.

Malata said that though there were Ministries, Departments and Agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring standardisation of products in Nigeria, there was still the need for an internationally accepted body.

He said that for commerce and trade to thrive, there was the need for the introduction of an international accepted standard for assessing the quality of products made in Nigeria.

According to him, the project will soon be presented before the Federal Executive Council for adoption as a policy.

Malata stated that when adopted, the policy would also ensure the safety and health of consumers who consume the various locally produced products in the country.

“While doing that, we take recognition that we have a national market as well, and therefore, we need to ensure that the safety and health of the consumers at the local level is also protected.”

The policy is also expected to ensure accuracy and reliability of the outcomes of tests carried out on local products.

He said that the NQIP was being funded by the European Union (EU) and would be implemented in different out puts.

“We have established a National accreditation body, we are about to set up a National Metrology Institute.

“We have organised the private sector so they can also establish certification and inspection bodies which deals with issues of quality, and we are at the moment running programmers to raise awareness on consumers’ issues,” he said. (NAN)

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