SON set to checkmate influx of substandard lubricants

The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is collaborating with the Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN) to checkmate the influx of substandard lubricants into

Nigeria.

Speaking at a meeting with LUPAN, Joseph Odumodu, director-general of SON, said in line with the organisation’s mandate, all hands should be on deck to rid the market of substandard lubricants.

“Consequent upon government policies on zero tolerance to substandard products, the imperative of the backward integration policy framework and in line with the SON’s mandate of standardisation and quality assurance, SON has embarked on monitoring and sampling of base oil and to establish a database on blending plants and consumption of base oil in the country to stem the tide of diversion and adulteration of the product,” said Odumodu, during a visit by LUPAN officials in Abuja.

Odumodu advocated the need to harness both institutional and sectoral frameworks to tackle the menace of adulteration and other unwholesome practices in Nigeria.

It is estimated that more than 60 percent of all mechanical failures are attributed to inadequate or improper lubrication practices in Africa.

Nigeria is the third largest consumer of lubricating oils, amounting to about 600 million litres or 1 per cent of the world total demand.

Anthony Enekeme, LUPAN chairman, pledged to support SON to rid the market of substandard oil.

“We are here to solicit support with the SON to bring standards to our oil business because a good number of people bring in substandard products into the country and once they are sealed in gallons, anything goes. This collaboration will improve the standard of Nigeria lubricant business and reduce the challenges vehicle engine face,” he said.

He pledged that the association would support SON to develop and ensure high quality in the lubricant sub-sector of the economy.

He pointed out that lubricants are the lifeblood of engines and all oil-dependent machinery, saying that as the transfusion of the wrong blood destroys the body system so is using the wrong lubricants damage themachinery.

Harrison Edeh