Speeches

2-Day 2008 NUPENG Annual Oil Conference And Exhibition

Oct 29, 2008 - Let me start by expressing my appreciation for inviting me to your Y2008 annual conference. I am very pleased to make this short remark because we are always happy to identify with the activities of critical stakeholders like NUPENG who play a major role in the oil sector and in Nigeria economy.

I believe that this conference and exhibition designed to educate and inform stakeholders and the public on the dangers of distribution, use of base oil and substandard lubricant is a great service to the renewed efforts of government to uphold standard in the transportation sector of the economy. Lubricants are a vital component in the smooth running of the economy. In its different formulations as motor oil, gear oil, hydraulic oil and penetrating oil, lubricants have a wide-range function in the automobile, aviation, marine, and agricultural industries where bolts, valves, locks, pipe fittings and general engine performance of vehicles, aircrafts, railway trains, ships and machineries need to be in top shape always. Clearly, lubricants are an integrated component of the transport sector and stakeholders and the public need to be well educated on the process of blending, distribution and use of this all- important product.

May I, therefore commend the officers of the ENGINE LUBRICANTS DEALERS BRANCH of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, for this noble efforts to bring the blenders, distributors, dealers, retailers and end users of lubricants under the same roof to share views and take action on the blending and distribution of this product which plays a vital role in our oil dependant economy.

There is no doubt that there is need to properly and regularly educate the lube-consuming public because of known cases of substandard products sale in our local markets. In many cases, the products are sold direct to motorists on the streets without certification by regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON. This attitude is worrisome because of the danger fake lubricants pose to engines and the ultimate safety of drivers and passengers. Besides, they are also known to constitute a health hazard to the environment through automobile emission. This means that only lubricant that is blended with the correct additive and certified by the regulatory agencies should be sold and patronised.

On this note, I wish to urge major and independent oil marketing companies, regulatory agencies and the media to join efforts with the government in the battle against substandard lube products in the country: The consequences of our inaction are obvious because in the short term, fake lubricants pose danger to life and damage the economy in the long run. The joint and continuous effort to combat the menace will not only restore sanity in the industry but also secure the employment of a large army of distributors and retailers of this product with wide-range uses.

As a government that is committed to the operation and functioning of a viable and modern road, water and rail transport system in the state, we identify with the aims and objectives of this conference and exhibition and look forward to its successful ending for participants and exhibitors alike.

It is our hope that forums like this will continue to provide the platform to continue to educate people involved and affected by your services.

I thank you for listening.

“Eko O ni baje!”

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State