The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Wednesday warned importers and dealers in adulterated and substandard lubricants to desist or face prosecution.
Alhaji Isa Tafida, Kaduna Zonal Operations Controller of DPR, gave the warning in Kaduna at a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on regulatory requirements for the lubricant oil sub-sector.
The workshop was organised to sensitise stakeholders on the dangers of dealing in substandard lubricants.
He said that the storage, distribution and sales of lubricants without DPR licence, contravened section 4 subsection 1 of the Petroleum Act, 1977.
“The law states that nobody can import, store, distribute or sell any petroleum products without a licence granted by the Director, DPR on behalf of the Minister of Petroleum Resources,“he said.
Tafida said the DPR would rigorously pursue policies that would sanitise the lubricant sub-sector, adding that all dealers must adhere strictly to the regulations.
” Stop proliferation of substandard lubricant brands, desist from sale of base oils as lubricants to motorists as that hinders the efficiency of an engine and also pollutes the environment,“he said.
The controller explained that the workshop would resolve and recommend measures to sanitise the lubricant subsector, synergize with security agencies and major stakeholders to apprehend and prosecute offenders.
Tafida added that the workshop would educate stakeholders on the online Licensing procedure to meet Operational requirements.
“We currently have 53 Lube blending plants in Nigeria with a combined total production capacity of 6, 023,406 liters per day of lubricants.
“Therefore, there is no need for anyone to think of importing lubricants into the country.
“With the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and the coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria will meet the demand of local consumption of standard lubricants,” he said.
Tafida said patronising the Nigerian lubricants which can compete with any similar product elsewhere would be safer for the environment.
He urged motorists and other users of lubricants to patronise major dealers in petroleum products to avoid the complications involved in the use of base oils as lubricants.
Representatives of major petroleum marketers attended the workshop.
