Mkpoikana Udoma 21 July 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, says it will soon commence a clamp down on filling stations dealing on adulterated and illegally refined kerosene.
The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command of NSCDC, Mr. Akin Oguntuase, said the clamp down is imperative owing to the increased number of domestic fire outbreak in the state caused by illegally refined kerosene, popularly called ‘Kpo Fire Kerosene.’
Oguntuase in a chat with our correspondent pointed out that the NSCDC is seriously concerned with the lives of the low income earning members of the public, who are the primary users of kerosene.
He explained that adulterated kerosene was very dangerous as it can lead to serious fire explosion.
“Those filling stations that sells illegally refined kerosene should desist from it because very soon, men of the NSCDC will be going about to check every filling station.
“If their product is not genuinely refined and not up to the standard, we will have such filling station shut down.”
Oguntuase also called on the public to look out for such adulterated kerosene to avoid falling victim of domestic fire outbreak.
He advised members of the public to desist from patronising cheap kerosene sold on the roadside, explaining that roadside kerosene were illegally refined.
“One thing about kerosene is that it is colourless just like water. If you buy kerosene from the roadside, before putting it into your stove, put a little quantity on the ground or anything and watch it burns, if it is volatile then know that is not kero. Even the enormous smoke that will emanate from it will tell you that it was illegally refined, and it is dangerous.
“If it is not colourless, please don’t purchase it. Instead of buying cheap kerosene and putting your life and that of your loved ones at risk, please people should buy the original product no matter the price.”
The NSCDC Spokesperson also warned those involved in illegal refining business and bunkering to stop forthwith, as they were on the business of causing deaths to innocent Nigerians
He vowed that the Corp will not rest on it oars in eradicating illegally refined products, “If we cannot stop them in the creeks, we will ensure that we stop them from marketing the products. We will ensure that these deadly petroleum products are not in the public domain,” Oguntuase said.