NADDC flags off reduction of Sulphur content in petrol, diesel, kerosene from July
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has announced a mandatory reduction in the sulphur content in refined petroleum products including petrol, kerosene and diesel from the first day of July.
Delivery specification form July 1, according to the agency show that all diesel fuel in the country should have maximum sulphur levels of 50 parts per million (ppm), while petrol should have maximum sulphur levels of 150 ppm, Household Kerosene (HHK), must not exceed Sulphur levels of 150 ppm.
The new directive is coming in conjunction with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
In a statement issued by the Director-General of NADDC, Aminu Jalal, the agency said the measure was in recognition of the fact that sulphur in fuels is harmful to the environment and also to the engines during combustion.
He said “Sulphur in petroleum fuels results in vehicle exhaust emissions that have negative health and environmental impacts. Harmful emission-reducing technologies in vehicles also require low Sulphur fuels to be effective”.
NADDC noted that the decision was reached after due consultations by SON and other relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
Continuing, jalal explained that petroleum fuels that have high sulphur levels generate directly high emission levels in automotive engines: “Such vehicle emissions contain high level of toxic pollutants, such as benzenes and particulates that have negative impacts on human health and on the environment. Technically, modern vehicles require fuels that meet high quality standards for a more efficient operation of their engines”.
