A new research has revealed that Nigeria has been made a dumping ground for highly toxic petrol, diesel and kerosene by international commodity traders.
According to the report of the survey conducted by Stakeholders Democracy Network, SDN, the dubious commodity traders take advantage of Nigeria’s weak and poorly enforced fuel regulations.
The report reveals that the quality of unofficial petrol and diesel produced by artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta also fall well below international standards, but are often of better quality than officially imported fuels.
It said both the official and unofficial fuels are worsening already heavily polluted environments, with serious health impacts and increasing costs of fixing damaged engines and generators.
In a summary of the research findings, SDN’s Florence Kayemba, said the research suggests the negative trend was responsible for fifty percent of air pollution around the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt.
“The Niger Delta already suffers environmental, health, and livelihood impacts from decades of oil spill pollution, associated gas flaring, and artisanal refining. This research indicates that the Niger Delta not only experiences the repercussions of producing crude oil and unofficial refined fuels, but also in the consumption of dirty official and unofficial fuels.”
Kayemba said the situation is even more disturbing because of the current outbreak Coronavirus in Nigeria, and the increased challenge of air pollution. “High levels of air pollution and pre-existing respiratory and other health conditions may increase the risk that Covid-19 poses to the health of the population of the Niger Delta, where the majority of unofficial fuels are produced, and more widely in Nigeria where low quality fuels are also consumed” She added.