Economy

SON evacuates 200 containers of substandard tyres in Ogun

Published

4 years ago

May 27, 2021

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has evacuated 200 containers of substandard tyres from a warehouse located in Obafemi Owode, a remote area in Ogun.

Malam Farouk Salim, Director-General, SON, said the evacuation of the stuffed tyres was to prevent the product from entering the nation’s markets.

Salim, represented by Mr Mike Dakhing, Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, Directorate said the tyres had been tested and were found to have failed all the critical parameters as a result of ”stuffing”.

He recalled that purveyors were devising new methods by taking advantage of the vast nature of the country to warehouse substandard goods in remote areas.

“You may recall that few weeks ago, the Director-General blew open to the whole world the nefarious activities going on in this community.

“Today, we are here to evacuate these tyres which will be the first stage in their destruction.

“We obtained the laboratory results after testing these tyres and they all failed.

“We will await the necessary legal procedures that will enable us to destroy them.

“It is worrisome that the evacuation and destruction will cost a lot of money and the SON is perfecting an Act that will ensure standard products in the country,” he said.

Reacting to a question on why the tyres were classified as substandard, Salim explained that the act of ”stuffing”, render the tyres dead on arrival into the country.

“The act of stuffing tyres into one another and instead of bringing in the tyres in different containers have rendered the tyres bad.

“For example, if they are to bring 300 tyres in one container, they will now have the opportunity to bring in 1500 tyres and in doing that, this compromises the quality of the tyres.

“As you know, the tyres are made of wires and carbon and the test reviewed that the textile strength of the tyres have been compromised.

“So, they are no more fit for purpose and this is why we are going to destroy them.

“They may look nice in the eyes, but we rely on scientific investigation and analysis,” he said.

Salim assured that the SON would prosecute the unscrupulous importers of these tyres.

According to him, SON has laws that specify the right type of punishments to be melted on dealers of fake and substandard products in the country.

He called on Nigerians to always support the agency by giving relevant information should they suspect any form of dubious activity in their locality.

“This is important because SON cannot be everywhere to checkmate the preponderance of these products with no economic value.

“I will like to appreciate the source of information to this place, because we got this through intelligent reports.

“We crave on the indulgence of Nigerians and implore them to help us identify not only tyres, but all products that are dangerous to human lives and the environment.

“We are calling on Nigerians to let us have any information because in line with our mantra which is “see something say something” as we cannot be everywhere if Nigerians do not help us we will not be able to address this issue headlong,” he said.

He stressed the need to increase its sensitisation across the country as Nigerians who still purchase substandard products because they are cheap, need to be warned about the negative effects of these products.

“We are in a dilemma and just like any other regulatory agency, when a consumer in his own decision goes to buy something that is substandard because it is cheap.

“There is no much a regulator can do and this is why we organise sensitization programmes and stakeholders engagement to educate Nigerians about the effects of substandard products.

“Because a lot of lives have been lost in the process of buying substandard products particularly tyres, electric cables and cylinders.

“We are not at the point of entry so we can only rely on information that people give us.

“And in doing that we also need to sensitise the public on the harmful effects of these substandard goods to their health and others.

“This is the only thing we can rely on for now,” the director-general said.

Economy

Nigerians to Pay More for Petrol as Fuel Prices Rise Nationwide

Published

22 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Nigerians are facing yet another spike in fuel prices as premium motor spirit (petrol) now sells for between ₦905 and ₦945 per litre across several filling stations in Abuja.

Checks on Monday, October 6, 2025, revealed that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, along with Empire, AA Rano, and Shema filling stations, adjusted their pump prices upwards. Empire Filling Station in Gwarimpa reportedly sold petrol at the highest rate of ₦945 per litre.

Other stations, including MRS, Emedeb, Ranoil, and Eterna, dispensed petrol between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre.

Marketers Blame PENGASSAN Strike for Price Surge
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the sudden hike to disruptions caused by last week’s strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, explained that the price increase was largely due to supply interruptions. He noted that stations receiving supplies from Dangote Refinery were still selling between ₦885 and ₦895 per litre, adding that prices were expected to stabilize soon.

“The feud between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN may have triggered panic buying and artificial scarcity. I can assure you that prices will drop and return to normal in the coming days,” Maigandi said.

IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike also confirmed that the PENGASSAN strike caused temporary shortages in Lagos and Abuja but expressed optimism that availability would improve as supply chains normalize.

Depot Prices Edge Up
Depot prices have reportedly risen slightly, with Dangote Refinery selling petrol at ₦844 per litre, Ranoil and Aiteo at ₦845, and NIPCO at ₦850 in Lagos.

The fuel price increase comes just days after Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN resolved their dispute over the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers, which led to a two-day strike. Federal Government intervention helped broker peace between both parties.

Dangote Refinery later thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other mediators for their role in ending the strike.

Shettima, PENGASSAN Trade Words
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) on Monday, criticized PENGASSAN, declaring that “Nigeria is bigger than the union.”

In response, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo countered, saying the country is also “bigger than Dangote Refinery and the presidency,” emphasizing the union’s commitment to protecting Nigerian workers’ rights.

Economy

Tourism wearing a new face in Kwara: Commissioner

Published

1 week ago

September 28, 2025

Our Reporter

Urges Kwarans, foreigners to embrace it Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has continued to showcase the beauty of culture and traditional assets and its uniqueness in the daily lives of the citizens, urging the people to embrace it for development.

The State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, had earlier in a broadcast, enjoined the people of the State, at home and in the diaspora, to embrace tourism as a tool for developmental progress to sustain transformational growth in line with the policy thrust of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s-led administration.

The Commissioner made the call to mark the 2025 World Tourism day with the theme, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, as declared by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization(UNWTO).

According to Olukoju, tourism is more than travel, it is actually a way of supporting people, culture, and the environment while driving economic growth, urging all and sundry to explore the various tourist sites around them.

“Tourism is not just travel, it is about building a future where every journey contributes to people, culture and planet, it is about hospitality that opens our heart and also helps to preserve our heritage and create opportunities for growth and development”, She said.

The Commissioner, who was delighted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar was recently ranked among the top ten festivals in Nigeria, celebrated Hajia Faridah Shagaya, who was recognised among Africa’s top tourism personalities, describing the recognitions as sources of pride for the state.

She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq for investing in tourism and hospitality, citing projects such as the Visual Arts Centre, Flower Garden, and Sugar Factory Film Studios, among others, as commendable efforts.

She also announced that this year’s celebration includes a roundtable with stakeholders to advance discussions on the future of tourism in Kwara State.

“Tourism is wearing a new face, from the Sugar Factory Film Studio, the Visual Arts Centre and the improved road network to Owu Waterfalls and many more which are evident of his work and is gradually opening Kwara to the World”, she added.

The Commissioner, who was represented at the event by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Salamat Yahaya, assured that tourism will continue to receive priority attention under the present administration and urged all stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to make Kwara a leading destination for culture, heritage, and hospitality.

In her remarks, the Secretary, kwara State Hospitality and Tourism Development Board, Hajia Ramat Akanni, applauded the present administration for priority attention given to the Board.

Hajia Akanni expressed optimism towards an enviable tourism and hospitality driven state, which she assured, would attract prospective investors and enhance revenue generation for the state.

She sought support and utmost compliance from hoteliers and relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired goals, pointing out that violators will face the full wrath of the law.

Relevant stakeholders and participants at the one-day event later visited Sobi Hills and the Kwara Sugar Film Factory as part of activities marking the celebration.

End

Economy

FAAN Rolls Out Cashless Payment System at Lagos, Abuja Airports

Published

2 weeks ago

September 26, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced a new contactless and cashless payment system, tagged Operation Go Cashless, in partnership with Paystack.

In a statement on Thursday, FAAN announced that the initiative will take effect from September 29, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Effective September 29, 2025, all payments at FAAN revenue points, including airport access gates, car parks, and FAAN VIP and protocol lounges, will go cashless. This means we will be phasing out cash collection at these points,” the statement read.

According to FAAN, the new system will provide travellers and airport users with faster, more seamless services through a secure, contactless platform. The agency explained that the shift responds to rising demand for modern, transparent payment methods and aligns Nigeria’s airports with global digital standards.

FAAN added that reducing cash handling will enhance efficiency, strengthen revenue assurance, and improve customer experience. It also noted that the cashless policy will be gradually extended to other airports nationwide.

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