The Senate in Nigeria has directed the Standard Organisation of Nigeria to work with the Nigeria Customs Service to stop the importation of substandard tyres into the country.
The resolution was reached on Tuesday after a debate on a motion drawing the attention of the Senate to the alarming rate and frequent loss of lives and property through road accidents due to the use of substandard and used tyres.
During its plenary the Senate also called on the Federal Road Safety Commission and Vehicle Inspection Officers to conduct checks on all tyres in use in Nigeria.
‘Unpatriotic’
Daily road accidents have led to a large number of deaths and the use of ‘used tyres’ is said to be one of the reasons for the high number of road accidents.
Moving the motion at the Senate, Senator Shehu Sani expressed concerns over the use of substandard tyres imported into Nigerian markets by businessmen he described as unpatriotic.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Dino Melaye, suggested local production and periodic sensitisation on the use of tyres in Nigeria.
Some other lawmakers were of the opinion that the importation of used tyres should be completely banned in the country.
After much debate, the Senate called on the Federal Roads Safety Commission and Vehicle Inspection Officers to conduct a quick check on all tyres in use in Nigeria.
They also urged the Standard Organisation of Nigeria to partner with the Nigeria Customs Service to intensify boarders and ports checks to halt the importation of substandard tyres and ensure the speedy clearance of imported genuine tyres from the ports.