THE Department of Petroleum Resources and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria have said that the mobile fuel laboratory recently developed by the agencies will help to check the adulteration of petroleum products across the country.
The Director, DPR, Mr. Ostein Olorunsola, who said this at a meeting between the agencies in Lagos, explained that the move was geared towards reducing the influx of sub-standard petroleum products into the country.
A joint statement by the agencies on Friday, quoted him as urging all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to support the initiative for a better industry and a better economy.
Olorunsola disclosed that the products that would be scrutinised are petrol, diesel, kerosene and lubricants.
He noted that adulteration of petroleum products was the worst of all the sharp practices in Nigeria, adding that the trend had caused a lot of damage to engines and machines.
He stated that the development had a debilitating effect on the nation’s economy, adding that there was the need to control the situation.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SON, Mr. Joseph Odumodu, said that adulteration of petroleum products had impacted negatively on the socio-economic life of the nation.
Odumodu noted that cases of explosion were rife resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property such as cars and equipment
The SON boss said, “There is constant breakdown of engines and this constitutes additional drain on personal and corporate resources. Our concern today is to put in place a quality assurance system that will put a stop to these embarrassing and unnecessary incidents.
“All petroleum depots, lubricating and blending plants, liquefied petroleum gas, LPG plants, LPG sale outlets, petrol service stations and surface kerosene sale outlets will be constantly monitored to ensure that products emanating there from conform to safe and acceptable industry standards.”
According to him, it is the intention of the agency to create and maintain a database of all such outlets in the country with a view to compiling all test results to a referable database, for ease of tracing of receipts and sale of products for the benefit of government and the Nigerian consumers.
