64% Of Imported Lubricants in Nigeria are substandard, says SON
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says about 64 per cent of lubricants imported into the Nigerian markets are below the approved standards. This according to a report published by news website, the eagleonline.com.
Gabriel Abah, Desk Officer, Base Oil and Lubricants at SON, raised the alarm at a recent one-day sensitization workshop on the reduction of substandard engine lubricant in the markets in Awka.
The workshop ran by the theme: “Imbibing Quality Culture in made in Nigeria Product’’. Abah said that statistics showed that 30 per cent of the substandard products found their way into the country’s lubricant market.
He described lubricants as lubricating of the wheel of industrial and sustainable economic development, adding that market intelligence from across the country portrayed an adulteration dimension of epidemic proportion.
The desk officer said SON was doing everything possible to protect the lubricant sub-sector which contributed about eight per cent to Gross Domestic Product in 2017.
Abah recommended an increase of import duty on lubricants from 10 to 30 per cent and reduction of same on base oil, a major input in the production of lubricant as possible solution. He stated that some of the consequences of substandard lubricants include loss of integrity, low return on investment, facility loss, knocking of engines, low engine performance, low fuel economy and environmental pollution. “Concerted efforts and collective resolve from both public, private institutions and sectoral stakeholders in enforcing compliance with codes of practices will constitute formidable arsenal to fight the menace,” added Abah.
In his keynote address, Osita Aboloma, Director-General of SON, said the organisation had been mounting campaign against the influx of substandard products into the country.
Aboloma said the workshop in Anambra was in view of the relevant role the residents play in contributing to the economy of Nigeria in manufacturing, importation and market for engine lubricants.
The director-general, represented by David Obi, Enugu Regional Coordinator of SON, said as the world’s large importer of generators, industrial and vehicle lubes into the market for lubricants in Nigeria was high.
Obi said: “The purpose of this workshop is to reduce the influx of substandard and adulterated lubricants in Nigeria by creating awareness among stakeholders and letting them know the consequences of getting involved in it.
“Always do your businesses the right way, in a manner that ensures your activities do not infringe on safety or enhance economic loss of money and time to other citizens.”
In her address of welcome, Nwaoma Olujie, Head of SON in Anambra, emphasized that the workshop was to inform stakeholders in the sector on the development. Olujie, who warned those manufacturing or circulating substandard lubricants in the state to desist from it or face the wrath of the law, added that SON should not compromise on ensuring value for customers. She said: “Consumers should watch out for lubricant products with SON certification logo, while urging manufacturers to protect their brands by subjecting them to SON process and obtaining its seal.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the stakeholders, including lubricant blenders, marketers and consumers were also lectured on various ways of testing the standards of lubricants.
