By Theodore Opara

THE Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, has commended the Executive Management Committee of Africa Tyre Village for their passion and commitment to lead the market in the right direction.

The commendation was contained in a speech by the Director General of SON, Anthony Aboloma, during a one day workshop on ‘Safety And Quality Requirements of Tyres’ which was jointly organized by the Agency and Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers – owners of Africa Tyre Village.

Delivering his address, Aboloma who was represented by the SON director in-charge of the Directorate of Certification, Engr. Oluremi Ayeni explained that the workshop was one in the series of stakeholders workshops for sectoral groups in Lagos, to promote the economic well being of Lagos State residents.

He said,“This forum becomes imperative because of the proliferation of sub-standard tyres in our society which has caused preventable loss of lives and property. I am indeed very happy to welcome the President and members of the Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers, Africa Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. This is the first time we are holding this kind of workshop in a major tyre market, and I can say that it was your passion and commitment to lead the market in the right direction that made today’s event possible.”

Aboloma also urged all the participants to see themselves as worthy ambassadors of the Standards Organization of Nigeria, not only by maintaining the safety and quality standards which they heard today, but to continue spreading the message to all their customers and tyre users who do business with them on daily basis.

Apart from more than 2000 traders that were present at the Africa Tyre Village venue of the workshop, the occasion also drew participants from many other stakeholder groups in the country’s tyre value chain, including the National Association of Vulcanizers, Auto Spare Parts And Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), Tools And Hardware Dealers Association.

(TAHDA), United Allied Spare Parts Dealers Association (UASPADA), Infinity Tyres, Maxxis Tyres, Federal Road Safety Commission and the Nigerian Police.

Expressing his joy at the success of the Workshop, President of the Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers Issa Akanbi Mohammed say the decision to host the Workshop was taken as part of ANTM contribution to the economic and social development of Nigeria. According to him,

“This Workshop is aimed at educating and bringing enlightenment in the tyre value chain. It is my greatest honour to welcome each and everyone of you to the largest Tyre market in Africa. For the Executive arm and members of our Association, I am full of praise because, they made the event possible, realizing the impact this Workshop will have on the economic and social development of our country, entire Africa, and the world in general.