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Mobile labs to certify fuel quality
2007-07-23 09:22:33
By Pascal Shao
The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) has said that it will start using mobile laboratories to test fuel in filling stations to ensure that consumers use standard fuel.
The agency`s Petroleum Director, Sirilli Massay, told journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the move follows complaints from consumers that some filling stations tamper with the petrol, diesel, kerosene and other fuels they sell.
He said his authority would constantly and tirelessly make random tests on fuel samples at filling stations to ensure that consumers enjoy value for their money.
`We want to ensure that filling stations countrywide observe standards of cleanliness in their fuel tanks and go on to sell unadulterated products to consumers,` he said, adding that they would be fair but firm on the issue.
The Ewura official explained that the authority has detected massive adulteration that is suspected to be the work of dishonest petroleum dealers who mix kerosene with either diesel or petrol to make unfairly huge profit margins.
He added that they are planning to acquire adequate modern equipment to ensure safety of all the fuel imported, distributed, sold and consumed in the country.
Ewura became operational last September and has since been busy preparing regulations and laws to protect water and fuel consumers.
`We will soon also start taking samples from ports, oil depots, filling stations and tankers on transit with the same aim of protecting consumers,` noted Massay.
Elaborating, he explained that this would become possible because the mobile laboratories will ensure instant results of the samples taken `unlike in the current situation where it may take days before the results are confirmed and released`.
`It is unacceptable and criminal to mix one kind of fuel with anything else because that could have tragic consequences. Some old-fashioned motor vehicles may be lenient to adulterated fuel but modern vehicles are very sensitive to any foreign invasion,` he said.
Turning to good petroleum business practices, the director said all concerned must unswervingly abide by the specifications in respect of each product instead of waiting for regulatory bodies like his to push them into doing so.
`There is no petroleum dealer who does not know the specifications I am talking about,` he observed.
Asked about the fixing of fuel prices, Massay said his authority has no powers on the issue because it is just a regulatory agency.
`Just like in most other countries, our agency’s mandate is stipulated in documented laws and regulations and does not include setting fuel prices,` he pointed out.
Fuel prices in the country have recently risen by between 200/- and 400/- a litre on average to up to at least 1,480/- following a rise in oil taxes that became effective on July 1.
However, Finance minister Zakia Meghji has said there is no justification for the price to exceed 1,400/- a litre.
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