By Miriam Humbe
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has assured Nigerians and all key relevant stakeholders of adequate publicity/promotion of the potentials of Low Sulphur Fuels and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in the country.
Balarabe said this while inaugurating the Inter-Agency Committee on Fuels to promote the use of low Sulphur Fuels and Compressed Natural Gas recently in Abuja.
The Minister said that the use of cleaner fuels will significantly reduce air pollution and human health challenges caused by high sulphur in Petroleum products.
The Minister 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.
He 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 that the standards are 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.
He further emphasized on the rise of the use of high sulphur concentrations in our fuels which resulted to associated rise in extreme weather, dirty air and others effects of climate change leading to our collaborative action towards ensuring a cleaner fuel, environment and improved public health for our generation.
The Minister said that the term of reference before the committee includes Creation of a Pollution Monitoring Team, Quality Reporting on finding, Annual Report with recommendations to Federal Executive Council ( FEC ), Simulation and Pollution projectlion and mitigation goals and Develop Action Plans for the Federal Government on cleaner fuels to enable Nigeria attain climate, health and developmental goals.
The Director of Environmental Assessment (EAD), Mrs Bolorunduro B. who doubled as the Acting Permanent Secretary in her closing remark urged the committee to put their wealth of experience together to attain the term of reference ((ToR) of the National Assignment.
Director Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Bahijjatu Abubakar, thanked all committee members for accepting to serve in order to support the Ministry in its bid to achieve clean air and healthy environment.
