By Thompson ABISOLA
Some local blenders of lubricant oils have called for concerted efforts to rid the Nigerian markets of uncertified and poor quality products.
The manufacturers made the call while speaking in Awka, Anambra State on Tuesday.
The Quality Control Manager, Seahorse Lubricants Lmited, Mr Amobi Emenike, Ozubulu said the lubricant industry which oils the wheels of industrial development must be protected in the interest of the Nigerian economy.
Emenike said Engine Lubricant Distributors (ELD) could help in the fight against proliferation of substandard products by ensuring that only certified ones were circulated.
“There are so many substandard lubricants in the Nigerian market and it has been affecting genuine local manufacturers negatively because they are cheaper and naturally people will go for them.
“But those who invested heavily in the industry are losing their money. With the sensitisation going on by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), I believe that people will appreciate the importance of buying and using quality lubricants the more.
“Distributors of lubricant products can help by providing information on those producing uncertified lubricants, because by the nature of their operations they should know the fakers of these substandard products,” he said.
Also, the Assistant General Manager, Ibeto Petrochemicals Industries in Nnewi, Mr Clement Oladejo, identified high cost of importing foreign lubricants was affecting the competitiveness of locally blended lubricants.
The Head of Marketing and Sales of the company, Oladejo, also commended SON for its efforts in enforcing standards in the industry, adding that it would not only protect consumers but project Nigerian brands for international acceptability.
“Importation cost of major raw material, that is base oil, is very high due to the foreign exchange rate in the country today, this high exchange rate has made the cost of production to be also very high.
“Again, the flooding of the market with imported substandard lubricants is another major challenge of the chemical industry.
“But we are happy that SON is working to sanitise the market, it is our belief that this will enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products.
“On our part, we will continue to comply and adhere to approved industry process to give Nigerians the best,” he said.
On her part, The Coordinator of SON in Anambra State, Mrs Nwaoma Olujie, ,warned customers against the purchase and use of substandard lubricants, noting that it comes with lots of negative consequences.
Olujie said people could identify SON certified and approved lubricants with quality its signs which are either the Eagle which is “MANCAP” or “NIS”.
“My mission here is not just to visit factories but to make products made in Anambra to be competitive anywhere in the world.
“We have been working closely with the lube blenders to make sure that they blended in conformity to the standard processes, and those that are adjudged to meet the standard are certified by SON.
“The interaction is ongoing, the focus of government is to build the small and medium scale enterprises and that is what we are working to achieve.
“SON relies on information from Nigerians in the ELDs, we now have prosecution powers with 2015 Act, so any distributor of substandard lubricant will be made to face the law,” she said.
The SON at a recent workshop in Awka raised the alarm that over 64 per cent of lubricants imported into Nigeria was substandard and that 30 per cent of these products found their way into the country’s lubricant market.
