COVID-19 – SON inspects face masks factory in Cross River for quality

Standard Organisation of Nigeria SON has said that in furtherance of National efforts at tackling the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, it has undertaken a quality assurance inspection of Cross River Garment Factory (CRGF) in Calabar, Cross River State. Located at Atimbo, by Goodluck Jonathan Bypass, Calabar, the factory is into mass production of Ankara barrier masks in furtherance of the “No Masks, No Movement” policy of the Cross River State Government. The SON inspection team was led by the Cross River State Coordinator, Michael Ogbuji, accompanied by Mrs. Bassey Duke and Engr. Samson Kolaru.

SON said “Welcoming the team, Acting Managing Director of CRGF, Mr. Edet Joseph described the factory’s product as double layer composite Masks with inner liner and high tensile strength of the head harness as well as neat sowing finishes. According to him, the Ankara material being used for the barrier masks is 100% cotton and sourced from neighbouring Abia State. The Ag. MD stated that all precautionary safety measures are being observed in the mass production of the re-usable masks with capacity for 100,000 units per day. It can be used for a maximum of 4 weeks, he said.  Mr. Edet Joseph stated that the company, which commenced operations in 2018, was producing largely for the Cross River State Ministry of Health, which distributes freely throughout the State”.

Responding after the tour of the production facility, Mr. Michael Ogbuji on behalf of the SON Director General, Osita Aboloma Esq., commended the company’s management for the initiative in response to the Federal Government’s call for sustainable production in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that the inspection was aimed at adding value from the raw materials, processes to the finished products of the barrier masks to ensure that they comply with the requirements of AFNOR SPEC S76‐001: 2020, one of the Standards provided by SON to meet Nigeria’s need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SON Coordinator admonished the company’s Management to share necessary technical information regarding the production and quality control checks with SON and assured them of absolute confidentiality.

Other issues discussed with the company’s management include the barrier filtration efficiency, breathing resistance, labelling requirements for identification and traceability in the markets amongst others. He then commended the Cross River State Government for the initiative and advised the Company’s Management to keep and maintain records of all quality control checks carried out on the finished products.