Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — The Engen Petroleum (T) Limited, has raised fresh alarm over the rate at which cheap and sub-standard lubricant products that are easily found and sold in the Tanzanian markets, warning that this trend signals danger to users and could cripple the economy if urgent steps were not taken to arrest the trend.

"Our efforts to push quality lubricants products into the market are greatly hampered by the availability of cheap and sub-standard products that are easily found all over the country," said Mr Shaaban Kayungilo, Managing Director of Engen, during the launching event of Engen's lubricants promotion campaign in Dar es Salaam last week.

He said that the cost of customers consuming such sub-standard lubricants is beyond compare, as it varies from increased fuel consumption, frequent maintenance required and, in most cases, contributes to equipment breakdowns and failures that not only affects productivity of the machine concern but also adds economic burden to the country.

"With limited understanding and quality awareness, motorists are exposed to use oils that in no way are closer to meeting the minimum quality requirements," he said.

It is from this observation that, "we urge the relevant authorities, Energy & Water Utilities Regulatory Authority of Tanzania, Tanzania Bureau of Standard and the government chemist, to look into ways to ensure that consumers get the right quality lubricants."

Kayungilo said that in so doing, consumers will be protected from their cars, vehicles, machines being damaged as is the case now. He urged all motorists and consumers in general to always remember that in putting the right oil in the engine or machine is the key to the engine or machine care.

"With ENGEN lubricants having a guaranteed quality, the products that we put into the market today provide a consumer with a number of benefits including saving fuel consumption, reduced maintenance and extended engine life, among many," he said.

Engen's lubricants promotion campaign is aiming at providing the motorists and consumers in general of a variety of oils that meets their specific needs of their vehicles and machines.

The company markets oils and greases to the automotive, industrial, marine, and construction economic sectors. The oils and greases are manufactured at the Engen's state-of-the-art Lube Oil Blend Plant in Durban, South Africa, together with imported products sourced from our cutting-edge technology partners.

Engen also has access to the world's high-tech laboratories for lubricant technology and this has enabled the company to develop products that suit the harsh conditions experienced in Africa.

According to Engineer Shack Mwaungulu, Engen Lubricants Manager, the company has also brought in the market, agricultural lubricants to support the ongoing Kilimo Kwanza (Agriculture First) initiative.

ENGEN is an African-based energy group focused on the refining and marketing of petroleum and petroleum-based products, and the provision of retail convenience services, through an extensive network of service stations across 19 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Tanzania, it has a main supply terminal in Dar Es Salaam and two upcountry depots in Kigoma and Mwanza. The terminal in Dar Es Salaam also serves as the supply hub to hinterland countries of Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo where ENGEN has sizeable market shares.

Engen Tanzania has also retail service stations in the regions of Dar Es Salaam, Tanga, Arusha and Mbeya where motorists and customers in general are able to get ENGEN's quality products, both fuels and lubricants, as well as customized services.