17 December 2012, Sweetcrude, Lagos – Government agencies including the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Standard Organisation (SON) have launched a mobile fuel laboratory to checkmate the adulteration of petroleum products across the country.
Speaking yesterday at collaborative meeting between both organisations in Lagos, DPR’s Executive Director Mr Ostein Olorunsola said that the move is geared towards reducing the influx of sub-standard petroleum products into the country and urged all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to support the initiative for a better industry and a better economy.
Olorunsoal disclosed that the petroleum that will be scrutinized are Premuim Motor Spirit (PMS), Automated Gas Oil (AGO) Kerosine and Lubricants.
The DPR chief also disclosed that any outlet caught dispensing adulterated products will be penalised by making monetary payment which will measured and calculated by the level of adulteration.
He noted that adulteration of Petroleum products was the worst of all sharp practices in Nigeria adding that the trend has caused a lot of damages to machines that has further caused the closure of many manufacturing firms.
He stated that the development has had a far reaching effect on the nation’s economy saying that the need to reverse the trend cannot be overemphasized.
Speaking in vein, SON’s Director- General Mr. Joseph Odumodu said that adulteration of petroleum products has impacted negatively on the socio-economic life of the nation.
Odumodu noted that cases of explosion are rife resulting in loss of lives and destruction of property: cars and equipment
“There is constant breakdown of engines and constitutes additional drain on personal, corporate and this 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, liquified petroleum gas plants, liquified petroleum gas sales outlets, petrol service station and surface kerosine sales outlets will be constantly monitored to ensure that products emanating therefrom conform to safe and acceptable industry standards.
He explained that 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 result to referable database and for the traceability of all receipts and sales of products for the benefits of government and concerned stakeholders.