AEEPM seeks compensation for Nigerians as FG fails to end dirty fuel imports July 1
Considering the lack of political will and policy summersault at play in the inability of the Federal Government to enforce ban on the importation of dirty fuels into the country from July 1, 2017 as announced in December last year, an Environmental group, Africa Environmental & Economic peace Mission (AEEPM) has given an indication to approach a federal high court to press for compensation for all Nigerians.
The group in a statement made available to Business Hilights in Lagos, said “For the fact the government of the federal has failed to enforce the ban it informed all Nigerians in December last year on ending imports of dirty fuels which is responsible for several ill health conditions including respiratory tract infractions and killing of Nigerians by fumes, it will file a suit on fundamental human right of Nigerians very soon”.
“Dirty fuel had been banned in all Europe and America because of its health concerns to the citizenry and the ozone layer and government assured us that the ban will come to effect come July this year but noting came out of it even without any form of explanation from the government.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) had made it clear that the move to ban dirty fuel imports by Nigeria and others will dramatically reduce vehicle emissions and help more than 250 million people to breathe safer and cleaner air.
It noted that a report by Public Eye in September last year exposed how European trading companies were exploiting the weak regulatory standards in West African countries, allowing for the exportation of fuels with sulphur levels up to 300 times higher than was permitted in Europe.
It would be recalled that on December 1, 2016, in Abuja, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire agreed to ban the importation of Europe’s dirty fuels, limiting sulphur in fuels from 3,000 parts per million to 50 ppm.
AEEPM said to be joined in the mass action include the then Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed who now serve as UN under Secretary at the New York, because she assured Nigerians on her capacity as the minister that “the enforcement of the ban in Nigeria would begin from July 1, 2017”.
“From July 1, 2017, we will commence the enforcement of the 50ppm sulphur in fuel. And the July deadline is on all fuels, your diesel, petrol and kerosene. Everybody knows that this is going to take some efforts, which is why we gave the six months’ notice. What is more important is that we are working with the refineries on a long-term approach,” Mohammed had said.
The group revealed further that the case for 100 ppm was made for the 2015/2016 fuel specifications, but the levels were maintained at 3,000 ppm for diesel; 1,000 ppm for Premium Motor Spirit (petrol); and 1,000 ppm for Household Kerosene.
It noted that when compared to other parts of the world, such as Europe and North America, fuel quality in many African countries, including Nigeria, is very poor.
“For example, European standards for fuel quality include Euro IV (50 ppm for petrol and diesel) and Euro V (10 ppm).
