The Coordinator of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Kwara, Mr. Sunday Yashim, says SON is determined to rid Nigeria of imported fairly used and expired tyres.
Yashim reiterated the commitment yesterday in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen after a raid on tyre shops where over 1, 000 units of tyre were confiscated.
The raid was led by the SON coordinator assisted by men and officers of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Corps.
The operation was carried out in Sabo Oke, Maraba, Ajase Ipo Road and Offa Garage areas of Ilorin, where three shops were sealed.
Yashim said: “We want to ensure that ‘Tokunbo’ tyres are no longer used by any commercial vehicle or any vehicle at all; by so doing our tyre industry will be revived.”
He blamed expired tyres brought into the country illegally for the wave of fatal road accidents, noting: “In Europe, tyres are produced based on the seasons, for example winter tyres will be used only for winter season after which they will be removed from the vehicle.
Nigeria is in tropical region, tyres meant for winter in Europe cannot be used in tropical region like Nigeria. It will not last long and it is dangerous as our temperature will increase its pressure and make it burst.”
He said the influx of fairly used tyres caused the two major tyre manufacturers in Nigeria, Dunlop and Michelin to relocate to Ghana, thus robbing Nigerians of jobs.