As part of sustained efforts by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to get rid of sub-standard products from Nigerian markets and enforce compliance to standardization, Kogi state office of Nigeria’s standards regulatory agency has evacuated 148 brands of sub-standard lubricants (motor oils) from major markets in Lokoja, Kogi state capital.
The fake lubricants were seized at different vehicle spare parts shops along Murtala Mohammed Way, in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The Director-General of SON, Barrister Osita Anthony Aboloma, represented by Engr. Olalekan Sunday Omoniyi, State coordinator, Kogi state office of standards organization of Nigeria said, “we took samples of major lubricants to our central laboratory in Lagos for analysis. the results showed that all the lubricants (engine oil) failed test. that means that major lubricants sold in Kogi state are sub-standard and fake and, that means they will not serve the purpose they were meant to serve and the consumers are at the receiving end.
“We are prepared to do a re-test if the Sellers contest the results. After necessary action, the seizures will be destroyed and if we found any of the seizures from this operation to be of good quality, they will be returned to the consignees or owners.
“Names of the fake lubricants are Polar Supreme 20W50, fake Mobil Super 1,000-1, Doctor Gasoline oil, Castle Motor oil, Tibawo motor oil, Super SB, among others. We invited the Sellers to our office where we guide them on how to identify good quality motor oil. We thank the shop owners for the level of cooperation and the level of awareness is growing,” he explained.
The seizures were made at seven shops which were sealed for selling fake lubricants to unsuspecting consumers in the state capital.
Mr Omoniyi stated that the clamp down on the shop owners was done with minimal resistance because in his words, “we explained the purpose of our presence in their shops. And, they cooperated with us. They urged (SON) to identify the warehouse of fake lubricants to save their businesses. But on our part, we will intensify our drive to rid the state of fake lubricants and products to consolidate on our successes in the state.”
Mr Omoniyi warned small scale manufacturers to desist from faking the Mancap logo on fake products to avoid arrest and sanctions adding that people should come forward to SON to learn how to identify fake products.
He advised the motoring public in the state to buy lubricants with the Mancap logo which is a mark of quality by the standards organization of Nigeria.
