Motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday said they preferred to patronize fairly used tyres popularly called `tokumbo’’ because of their affordability as against new ones.
Many consumers are not aware that tyres have expiration dates in spite of the claims of enlightenment campaigns by the relevant authorities.
Some consumers who spoke to NAN said they preferred the fairly used tyres to new ones because of the economic hardship being experienced in the country.
Mr Ayodele Musa, a motorist, who said he had always patronised fairly used tyres, added that he had never been disappointed.
Musa said,“ Tokumbo tyres are very cheap when compared with the new one and I believe they are even stronger and better than the new ones.
“ The tyre I am using now was bought almost two years ago and it hasn’t disappointed me yet, so I do not see any reason why I should stop buying it.”
Mr Gabriel Amaechi, a taxi driver, said he did not believe that fairly used tyres caused accidents as being spread by some Nigerians.
According to him, speeding is the major cause of road accidents because “if one is not on speed, he can control his car if anything happens to his tyre’’.
Amaechi said he had never bought a new tyre before and did not know that they had expiry dates.
Another driver, Mr Friday Okon, said he was not aware that tyres had expiration date and had not seen nor heard of any campaign on their usage.
According to Okon, consumers have certain programmes on NTA and radio which they subscribe to.
“ I think if anu government agency is doing enlightenment programmes, it should be on such platforms.”
However, the Director, Public Relations of Consumer Protection Council, Mr Abiodun Obimuyiwa, said a lot had been done by the council regarding consumer awareness of the use of tyres.
He said,“ CPC has been doing so much on awareness creation on checking the date of tyres and other products and we have not relented in our efforts.
“ We have included this awareness in all our enlightenment programmes and we have done flyers and manual which we gave out to consumers.
“ We have also devoted one edition of our TV programmes to the safe use of tyres which will be televised on NTA soon.
“ The problem we have with Nigerians is that we do not take certain issues seriously and we tend to overlook and play down matters that are risky to life,’’ Obimuyiwa said.
He urged consumers to always check the expiry date of all products purchased in the market to avoid misfortunes and ensure safety.
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The government should ban overused tyres. Overused tyres have no grip on the road and more likely to be slip easily.
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