SON warns motorists against using retreaded tyres

Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has warned motorists to desist from using re-treaded tires on their vehicles, as such expired tires are dangerous and can lead to serious accidents.

Sunday Yashim, SON state coordinator in Kwara State, gave the warning in Ilorin while briefing newsmen on the danger of using retreaded tires.

He expressed concern at the rate at Nigerians patronise retreaded and expired tires.

Yashim said that two men that were involved in illegal retreading of tires were apprehended by the men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Ilorin and handed to SON.

“We are working in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps to monitor and investigate hideouts of illegal retreading of tires in Ilorin,” Yashim said.

He warned motorists to be careful of buying tyres because some of them that appear new on display may be used and retreaded ones.

“Such tyres are also referred to as ‘life in danger’ products. Using retreaded is very dangerous.

Motorists have to be wary of the kind of tyres they buy because they will look like new and very difficult to detect.

“Based on the information we gathered, two locations were identified, where tyres are being retreaded illegally here in Ilorin.

“The first culprit, Abdulrazaq was caught retreading tyres used by commercial vehicles and was apprehended by NSCDC on October 1st, 2017 at Agaka area Ilorin and was handed over to us,” Yashim stated.

According to SON coordinator, during interrogation, the accused confessed that he learnt the illegal trade in Benin Republic.

“The accused said that bad tires were usually brought to him by drivers, mainly commercial drivers for retreading,” the SON coordinator said.

He said that retreading of tyres of vehicles used for commercial purposes was illegal, adding that only vehicles with maximum speed limit of 60km per hour could use retreaded tyres.

“The only tires that are allowed to be retreaded are those used by trucks or vehicles that have not more than 60km per hour speed limit. Apart from such vehicles, it is illegal for cars and buses and any vehicle with over 60km per hour speed limit that can use retreaded tires. Anybody found guilty will face the wrath of the law.”

SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin