SON alleges adulteration of diesel with kerosene by sellers

By The Citizen

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has revealed that fuel retail outlets in the country have embarked on adulteration of petroleum products in their attempt to make more money.

It said that more than 60 per cent of the over 2,000 retail outlets in Nigeria have kerosene mixed with diesel up to about 77 per cent.

SON, which revealed the adulteration of fuel yesterday in a survey it carried out and presented to stakeholders, said the illicit business has reached an alarming rate and therefore demands special attention.

A field study presented to stakeholders by its Head of Task Force on Petroleum Products, Timothy Abner, showed that out of the 21 fuel retail outlets in the South West, 15 had up to 69.1 per cent kerosene in diesel. In the Middle Belt, there was presence of kerosene of up to 77.1 per cent in the diesel tested, while in the South-South, there was kerosene of up to about 27 per cent.

Specifically, Abner disclosed that the diesel available in Enugu State was mostly adulterated with kerosene in all cases except for two stations. He noted that there was also increase of kerosene content in diesel in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Even the diesel in SON's power generating set showed kerosene presence of up to 77.1 per cent.

He added also that, 'about six fuel adulteration points between Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been uncovered.'

According to SON Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, the issue of adulteration of petroleum products has impacted negatively on the socio-economic life of the nation. He, therefore, disclosed the agency's intention to embarked on serious monitoring and sanctioning of perpetrators of the illegal business.