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NATA Lauds Hyde Energy’s Contribution to Quality Lubricant Production
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) Lagos State chapter has lauded Hyde Energy following an assessment of the quality of lubricants produced and distributed in the Nigerian market as well as adherence to international best practices by Hyde Energy Lubricant business.
This came as the executive members of the association visited the energy trading company’s lubricant blending plant located in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The lubricant plant, one of the largest lubricant manufacturing facilities in Nigeria, has the capacity to blend 30,000 litres of lubricant per day. The lubricants produced at the Hyde Energy blending plant undergo stringent quality control measures and adhere to the highest standards, as certified by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
With over 30 different grades of lubricants manufactured and distributed for automotive, industrial, marine, and mechanical machines and equipment, the company ensures a diverse range of offerings.
During the visit, the NATA Executive Team had the opportunity to tour the lubricant plant, led by the Head of Lubricants Business at Hyde Energy, Mr Ayobami Isaac Olowolayemo, accompanied by the Plant Manager, Mr Uwadia Isiraojie.
The NATA representatives were guided through the company’s manufacturing processes and engaged in discussion with Hyde Energy’s management team regarding the company’s commitment to producing high-quality lubricants.
During his appreciation to the NATA Executives, Mr Olowolayemo, Head of Lubricants at Hyde Energy, stated, “We deeply appreciate the visit of the NATA team to our plant today. The visit holds great significance for us because, at Hyde Energy, our foremost objective is to provide Nigerian motorists with lubricants of unparalleled quality.
“Therefore, collaborating with NATA, showing them our blending and manufacturing processes, and leveraging their expertise and extensive coverage is pivotal. With this visit, we are convinced of NATA’s commitment to promoting the use of quality lubricants in Nigeria, and we are excited about the future.”
Mr Moruf Egberongbe, Chairman of NATA, who led his team together with Asiwaju Jacob Fayeun, who was the immediate past chairman of the association in Lagos state, expressed his deepest satisfaction with the Hyde Energy Lubricant Plant, commending its state-of-the-art facilities and well-trained staff.
He emphasized the importance of indigenous manufacturing in Nigeria and acknowledged the plant’s contribution to job creation in the country.
“As an association, we highly value indigenous manufacturing, and we remain committed to supporting Nigerian brands. The dedication of Hyde Energy’s management team to manufacturing high-quality lubricants is highly commendable.
“We are very impressed with the Lubricant Plant as it is well-equipped and adequately staffed.”
He further said, “As the end user, we can see that the management team of Hyde Energy is committed to producing high-quality lubricants, and we are confident that Hyde Energy lubricants will meet the needs of Nigerian motorists. We want to assure the team of our support and to encourage them not to drop the ball in providing the motorist with quality lubricant.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A bill aimed at prohibiting hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles in Nigeria has been passed by the Senate.
The bill known as the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, imposes fines between N50,000 and N100,000 for violations if assented to by the President.
The piece of legislation was passed by the red chamber of the National Assembly on Thursday and should later be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Members of the upper chamber of the parliament explained that the law was amended to discourage distractions in commercial vehicles and improve the safety of commuters.
In addition, motorists who fail to cooperate with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion are liable to fines or imprisonment or both.
Lawmakers noted that this was to improve compliance with road safety regulations and reduce road crashes, as fines for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs were raised to N100,000 from N5,000, with the risk of spending two years behind bars.
It was also proposed that disobedience to traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices will now attract N100,000, while the fine for speed limit violations is now N100,000, with reckless driving now a fine of N100,000 or two years’ imprisonment.
By Dipo Olowookere
Residents and motorists plying the Aina Obembe Road in Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, may soon heave a sigh of relief as the excruciating traffic gridlock being experienced in the area both day and night may soon be a thing of the past.
This is because the chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, Mr Lukmon Agbaje, has directed those involved in indiscriminate truck parking along the road to remove the heavy-duty vehicles within one week, threatening to invoke appropriate enforcement measures for noncompliance with this directive.
Speaking during a meeting on Wednesday with the management of SENA Company, which owns the affected trucks, as well as the leadership of Oluwadara CDA and other key stakeholders like the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), at the council’s secretariat, Mr Agbaje frowned at the prolonged inconvenience suffered by the community, stressing that public roads must remain accessible and safe for all users.
He emphasised the need for a collaborative approach in resolving the issue without undermining legitimate business operations, noting that he’s focused on finding a lasting solution to the gridlock experienced between Oluwaga and Aina Obembe, where parked trucks have continued to obstruct traffic, disrupt business activities, and pose safety concerns for residents and motorists.
He tasked the firm and the CDA to jointly identify and implement alternative parking arrangements that would remove all trucks from the affected roads and restore the free flow of traffic.
He declared that, “The welfare of our people remains our highest priority. No individual or corporate organisation should obstruct public infrastructure or create avoidable hardship for residents. We must ensure that economic activities coexist with public safety, order, and convenience.”
The council chief reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting orderly development, ensuring safe and accessible roads, improving traffic management, and creating an environment where businesses can thrive alongside the well-being of residents.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has cut import levies on new and used vehicles by as much as 10 per cent in a move aimed at reducing the cost of vehicle importation, even as it commenced the implementation of a new Green Tax surcharge.
According to an update issued by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, the import levy on new vehicles has been reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, while the levy on used vehicles has been slashed from 15 per cent to five per cent under the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures, which took effect on July 1, 2026.
The customs said the policy is designed to ease the cost of vehicle imports while advancing the government’s environmental sustainability objectives through the newly introduced Green Tax.
The implementation also reduces the overall import duty on fully built passenger vehicles from 70 per cent to 40 per cent.
As part of the Green Tax framework, a new environmental surcharge of between two per cent and four per cent will apply to petrol-powered vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 2,000cc. However, mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and passenger cars with engines below 2,000cc are exempt from the surcharge.
Beyond the automobile sector, the fiscal measures also lower import duties on several essential goods. The duty on imported rice has been reduced from 70 per cent to 47.5 per cent, while crude palm oil now attracts a 28.75 per cent duty.
In addition, import duties on agricultural and manufacturing machinery have been completely removed to support local production, while Waste PET has been added to the export prohibition list to encourage domestic recycling.
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