By Udeme Clement
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says some transporters adulterate petroleum products by mixing them with other chemicals in order to increase their profits.

The Chairman, Western Zone of NUPENG, Tokunbo Korodo, explained that adulteration of petroleum products has been going on for a very long time.  “For instance, faking of diesel is largely responsible for why many industrial machines and car engines using this product develop fault at regular intervals and finally break down after several repairs”, he said.

Korodo went on, “Aside from car engines, the generators we use to supply electricity for industrial and domestic concerns are also at risk because they need petroleum products to function.  It is a very bad practice that has disastrous consequences for almost everyone in the environment because it could cause explosion at homes and in offices.

We have discovered through our task force team that is monitoring the operations of tanker drivers that some transporters in Nigeria indulge in adulteration of petroleum products to enrich themselves. For instance, what they do is to reduce some quantity of diesel and replace it with kerosene because kerosene is cheaper than diesel, after which they distribute these products in the market for people to buy.”

“Some of the transporters who engage in this illegal business have trucks and drivers who lift the products and distribute into the markets after faking. After mixing the products, their drivers would distribute the products and people would purchase the products and use in their generators and cars without knowing.”

Korodo advised government to ensure adequate supply of kerosene so that people especially low income earners making use of the product to cook could get it at affordable price. “Government should realise that the purchasing power is very low. Most people make use of kerosene on daily basis since they are not able to afford gas”.

He warned that people who purchase fake kerosene stand the risk of explosion and fire outbreak capable of claiming i lives and properties.