The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) wants producers of lubricants to adhere strictly with standards and make quality products that conform with the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) .
Esther Okon, Kwara State director of SON, stated this during a certification session by SON in
collaboration with Virtualdox Nigeria Limited in Ilorin. The standards body seized the opportunity to sensitise the general public, consumers and other stakeholders on how to identify good and substandard petroleum products.
Okon, who tasked oil manufacturers to improve on their products and avoid compromising quality, equally warned motorists to desist from buying substandard lubricants and ensure they use oil only certified by SON.
“The standard products are certified through a coordinated operation that involves planning and implementation of factory /port inspections, sampling and laboratory testing /analysis and reports on local and imported products,” Okon said.
“This is complimented on market survey, where houses and other market sources to fish out the substandard products for compliance purposes.
“The certification of the requirements offers protection to consumers, promotes competitiveness and reduces the level of consumers/manufacturers’ complaints. Therefore, SON stands for zero tolerance to substandard products from manufacturers right now,” she added.
In his remark, Osita Obaloma, director-general of SON, represented by Gombo Dimka, FCT coordinator, noted that substandard products are risks to the consumers, industry, and the economy.
According to him, the seminar was aimed at improving knowledge and communication for sustainable actions to reduce the level of substandard engine oil in the markets.
“Because of the availabilty of base oil, you find out that a lot of people are thinking of quick ways to make money and for that, they go into all shady deals, producing substandard engine oil.
“The only way we can tackle the problem is first, if the public are aware and are ready to spend their money to get good oil, then they should look for the characteristics of quality oil which has to do with information on the label; look at the brands. Most manufacturers today ensure that their engine oils have seals and so, you ensure that you check the seal and sometimes their contacts to get in touch with them. When you make use of those measures, you will definitely get a good engine oil.”
Dolapo Motunrayo Mariam, head of Chemical Technology Unit, Kwara State, who presented a paper on ‘Certification of Lubricants’, explained that certifications are carried out when products conform with minimum requirements of NIS MANCAP for locally manufactured products and SONCAP for imported products.
Standards, according to her, are based on consolidated results of science, technique and experience, saying implementation of standards ensures effective certification of lubricants. Mariam said the process usually starts from raw materials, process check, conformity to relevant NIS, and adequate storage among others.
“High value realisation and better quality of production boost the economy of the country.”
Olufadi Adamu Bayo, who presented the second paper on ‘Penalties for Manufacturers, Circulating and Sales of substandard Products’ advised manufacturers not to be consumers’ enemies, adding that henceforth any manufacturer found guilty of producing substandard
products would be dealt with accordingly.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
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