ASPAMDA leader frowns over fake autoparts despite measures against proliferation

President of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), Trade Fair complex, Lagos, Hon. Ngozi Emechebe, has expressed worry over the use of fake spare parts despite repeated warnings and actions.

He said the fake parts’ use had led to many avoidable fatal road traffic crashes in Nigeria, resulting in numerous deaths, serious injuries and loss of vehicles as well as goods. Emechebe made the remarks recently in Lagos at the opening ceremony of the 2024 West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) in Lagos.

He spoke on the topic ‘The Challenge of Substandard Parts in the Market’ and quoted experts as estimating that Nigeria was losing N100 billion annually to road crashes caused by the use of fake parts on automobiles.

The ASPAMDA president said, “In the auto sector, the use of fake parts has led to many Road Traffic Crashes on our highways resulting in injuries and deaths; and economic wastage as unsuspecting patrons of fake parts are forced to spend more on the long run”.

He said faking auto parts had partly stunted the growth of the auto industry in Nigeria.
Highlighting the benefit of genuine parts, the ASPAMDA boss said,

The use of genuine auto parts comes with a lot of benefits such as safety which should be a top priority for any vehicle owner. Investing in high-quality automobile spare parts ensures your vehicle is safe and reliable; and it also ensures guaranteed warranty protection.

Other benefits associated with the use of genuine parts include lowering total cost, ensuring quality and reliability.
“A non-genuine spare can offer a lower “up front” cost. This may provide a short-term gain, but it takes no account of the total cost.

Emechebe also spoke on the collaboration between ASPAMDA and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to address the problem of fake part sale and use.
He said, “At the ASPAMDA market in Lagos, we do not tolerate the distribution of fake parts as our members are well informed and enlightened to avoid dealings in fake parts.

“To tell you how serious we are against the distribution of fake parts within our market, we have partnered with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) who facilitate periodic seminars against fake parts.
“We have also provided a permanent office to SON inside our market, where full-time SON personnel are stationed, working with us in this regard. Let me seize this opportunity to commend SON for its relentless fight against fake parts in Nigeria”.

He called on other auto parts markets in Nigeria to emulate the example of ASPAMDA in its partnership with SON.
“I call on the Federal Government to boost the capacity of SON so that it can expand its operations in fighting this scourge in Nigeria.

The fight against production and selling of fake auto spare parts he said must be seen as a collective responsibility. All stakeholders must therefore collaborate to expose those engaged in the criminal act and severely punish the criminals.

Expressing delight at the choice of the topic, he said, “The choice of the topic for this year is apt. The issue is very important because the challenges posed by fake parts not only affect the industry, but the economy in general, and wellbeing of the country.

The issue of fake parts is one that I am very concerned about, because it has been discussed in many other conferences before now and it is still a relevant topic even after so many years of discussion.

Fake auto parts are counterfeit or unauthorised reproduction of parts made to look like genuine parts, but often with inferior quality. Fake parts may cost significantly less than the genuine parts, but they are often unreliable and potentially dangerous.

About ASPAMDA. Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) is an association made up of traders and distributors of genuine auto and machinery parts.
The marketing complex is located at the International Trade Fair complex along the busy Mile 2-Badagry expressway. It is a One Stop shop for all kinds of auto and machinery parts and accessories.

MIKE OCHONMA
Editor