24th November, 2015
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has warned against the use of sub-standard lubricants in the oil and gas industry.
Kachikwu gave the warning while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian Lubricants Summit on Tuesday in Lagos.
Kachikwu, who was represented by the Managing Director, NNPC Retail Ltd, Mr Ladipo Fagbola, said the use of sub-standard lubricants in the industry should be discouraged considering its danger on equipment and machinery.
He urged the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to beam searchlight on imported lubricants into the country.
The Chairman of Lubcon International Group, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, said the challenges confronting stakeholders were poor quality of base oil imported into the country.
He said that sub-standard lubricants could lead to accidents at workplace and on the road if vehicles and machines suddenly broke down due to fake lubricants.
“We need to prevent the country from becoming a dumping ground; importation of processed lubricants is a big challenge to the sector.
“Innovation is key to industry growth and development, hence, the need for investment in research and development,” he said.
He said effects of used lubricants on the environment should be critically reviewed.
“I think there is need for us to present a bill to the National Assembly on recycling of used lubricants in the country,” he said.