Nigeria Intensifies Promotion Of Low Sulphur Fuels
By Kelvin Alohan
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has assured Nigerians of the federal government plans to intensify the promotion of the potentials of Low Sulphur Fuels and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in the country.
The minister stated this in Abuja recently, while inaugurating the Inter-Agency Committee on Fuels to promote the use of low Sulphur Fuels and Compressed Natural Gas in the country.
He noted that the use of cleaner fuels will significantly reduce air pollution and human health challenges caused by high sulphur in petroleum products. He lamented that high sulphur fuels have been linked to rising cases of asthma attacks, acute/chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung diseases and many other ailments.
Balarabe further stated that the reviewed Nigeria Industrial Standards for Sulphur concentration in petrol, diesel and kerosene was made possible by the mandate of the Ministry and support from the critical stakeholders.
The Minister disclosed the standards as follows: Diesel – From 300ppm to 500ppm; Petrol – 1, 500ppm to 150ppm and Kerosene -1, 500ppm to 150ppm in 2016 and transition was proposed in 2017-2019.
According to the Minister, the committee’s terms of reference includes creation of a pollution monitoring team; quality reporting on finding; annual report with recommendations to Federal Executive Council; simulation and pollution projection & mitigation goals; and the development of action plans for the federal government on cleaner fuels to enable Nigeria attain climate, health and developmental goals.
In her remarks, the Director of Environmental Assessment (EAD), Mrs. Bolorunduro B., who doubles as the Acting Permanent Secretary, urged the committee to put their wealth of experience to bear to deliver on the terms of reference.
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