A concern that threatens road safety has been raised by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ogun State.
The association has accused the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) of failing to regulate the production of tyres in the country.
RTEAN insists that locally made tyres are of subpar quality, making them unfit for use, especially for commercial vehicles.
At an event in Abeokuta, the state capital, RTEAN leaders expressed their displeasure over what they termed “low-quality tyres.” The association’s state chairman, Titilayo Akibu (Efele), was represented by the Secretary, Tiwalade Akingbade, during a sensitization program organized by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Akibu stated that the cost of locally made tyres is too high for their poor quality.
He lamented the challenges faced by transporters who have no choice but to buy these tyres at high prices, despite their unreliability.
“We spend so much on these tyres, yet they fail to meet the standard needed for our vehicles to be safe on the roads,” Akibu said.
The association further claimed that used tyres, commonly referred to as ‘tokunbo,’ are safer and more durable than their local counterparts.
This statement has sparked serious concerns about the effectiveness of the country’s tyre production standards.
RTEAN also pointed a finger at SON, accusing them of not doing enough to ensure that only high-quality tyres are produced and sold in Nigeria.
“The Standards Organization of Nigeria is not doing enough to ensure that only good-quality tyres are produced,” Akibu continued. “We’ve been saying this for a long time, but no one is explaining why it’s happening.”
The chairman emphasized that the tyres are not only unsafe for commercial vehicles but also unreliable for personal cars.
“We cannot continue to ignore this,” he added. “These tyres are just not safe, and they are causing road accidents.”
The issue of high tyre prices was also discussed at the sensitization event.
According to Akibu, the cost of tyres has increased significantly due to the rising price of fuel and spare parts. This makes it even harder for transporters to afford tyres that are not up to standard.
“With the rising cost of fuel and spare parts, it’s a struggle for us to get good tyres,” he said. “The government needs to step in to help us by making sure only good tyres are produced locally.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) emphasized road safety during the event.
Deputy Corps Commander in charge of operations for Ogun State, Adelaja Ogungbemi, highlighted the importance of following traffic rules to save lives.
Ogungbemi urged all drivers to ensure that their vehicles, including tyres, are in good condition. He also stressed the need for drivers to avoid overloading, speeding, and drinking while driving.
In his speech, Ogungbemi mentioned that the use of old, imported tyres should be avoided.
“Safety on the roads is the responsibility of everyone,” he said. “We must all play our part to reduce accidents and keep our roads safe.”
The call for better tyre quality in the country comes at a time when road accidents are on the rise, and tyre failure is often cited as a major contributing factor.
RTEAN’s criticism of SON was not limited to just the tyre issue.
The association pointed out that many tyres produced in Nigeria are refurbished and rebranded as new products.
“These tyres are old, sometimes condemned tyres that have been reworked and sold as new,” Akibu explained. “This is not just disappointing but dangerous for everyone who uses them.”
He added that the association has been calling for urgent measures to improve tyre quality and regulate the market, but their concerns have not been addressed by the authorities.
RTEAN is also pressing for accountability from SON and other regulatory bodies.
“What is SON doing to prevent this?” Akibu questioned. “Why are we allowed to continue using tyres that are unfit for our roads?”
The association insists that SON must take a more active role in regulating tyre production and ensuring that only high-quality products are allowed in the market.
Despite the ongoing tyre crisis, RTEAN remains committed to working with the FRSC to reduce road accidents in Ogun State.
The association’s leaders have expressed their willingness to cooperate with road safety authorities to make sure that the issue of road safety is tackled from all angles.
“We are ready to work with FRSC to curb accidents,” Akibu said. “But we must address the issue of low-quality tyres first.”
In a related development, RTEAN members have shown overwhelming support for Akibu’s leadership.
At the event, a motion was passed endorsing Akibu for a second term as the chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the association.
The motion was moved by the state’s first vice chairman, Monsuru Owookade, and seconded by the state’s publicity secretary, Adeyemi Adeleye.
