SON Warns Dealers Against Sale Of Substandard Tyres

SON Warns Dealers Against Sale Of Substandard Tyres

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has expressed its commitment to ramp up efforts to tackle the growing issue of substandard tyres being sold in the country.

It also issued stern warnings to dealers urging them to safeguard consumers and enhance road safety by combating the circulation of substandard tyres in the country.

Speaking at a Tyre Stakeholders’ Forum held at Apo Mechanic Village on Thursday, SON’s Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, emphasized the critical need for dealers to ensure that only high-quality tyres reach consumers.

At the event-themed “Tyre Awareness -A National Imperative,” the DG urged retailers to uphold quality standards.

The use of substandard tyres has been identified as a significant safety hazard, as their poor quality leads to compromised performance, reduced durability, and an increased risk of accidents.

This was as tyre importation reached a total value of N108bn despite local capacity.

“As a retailer, you have to select the type of tyres you are going to sell to consumers. Enough of substandard tyres,” Okeke stated.

Represented by Director of SON’s North Regional Zone, Dr Marilyn Waziri,

Okeke underscored the dangers associated with substandard tyres and the implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“With the AfCFTA, it means that your tyre can also be exported to any country (in the continent) of your choice. And their own tyre will come into this country. So if now we continue on the substandard tyres, and their own homes, it will keep our own out of the market,” he explained.

He assured traders that the campaign against substandard tyres is not aimed at putting them out of business but at ensuring road safety and market competitiveness.

“We have been deliberating, even at the national level, on how we can make sure that we reduce the level of substandard tyres that are coming into the country. We are not trying to push you out of business,” he added.

The sensitization initiative, he said, would be extended to other parts of the country, with SON working closely with tyre dealers to ensure that only certified products are sold in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, SON’s FCT Coordinator, Gamagira Isiaka, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to tackling the issue of substandard tyres, stressing their role in transportation safety.

“The DG has serious concerns on fake and substandard products, especially tyres, that we should sensitize tyre dealers,” he noted.

Chairman of the Abuja Automobile Dealers Association, Mr. Samuel Akah, commended SON for the initiative, assuring that dealers would comply with all stipulated measures to ensure tyre quality.

He also praised SON’s leadership under Okeke for fostering a cooperative relationship with traders.

The event, which witnessed goodwill messages from the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force, among others, also saw a presentation on the proper preservation of tyres and other related issues by Mr Adetoyi Adeyinka.