FUEL QAULITY CONCERNS
The Authority is aware of recent media reports regarding Botswana Oil Limited’s contaminated fuel allegations. Among other things, the reports alleged that Botswana Oil was receiving substandard fuel procured from Namcor.
The Authority further wishes to notify the public that, working together with Botswana Oil, it has isolated and quarantined about 3.3 million liters of unleaded petrol 95 (ULP95) for suspicion of containing metal(s). The fuel is suspected to contain lead and manganese, which are usually added as additives.
Botswana Oil had initial denied reports that some of the oil it imported may have been contaminated. This follows local and Namibian media reports. The latest development comes in the wake of the organisation’s decision to part ways with its Chief Executive Officer Meshack Tshekedi.
Additives containing metals were banned in the early 2000s due to concerns about environmental and health risks. The Botswana Standard on Unleaded Petrol (BOS577) on unleaded petrol clearly excludes metals. The Authority has conducted its own tests on the fuel quality from Namcor and based on the results, we have advised BOL not to distribute this metal-containing fuel in Botswana.
Both the Authority and Botswana Oil commit to ensuring that fuel supplied to and used in Botswana is of acceptable standards. The Authority, therefore wants to assure the nation that once investigations are completed, the public will be informed of the outcome and the necessary steps to be taken, and we shall continue to monitor fuel quality and we want to encourage consumers to continue to be vigilant.
Botswana Oil had initial denied reports that some of the oil it imported may have been contaminated. This follows local and Namibian media reports. The latest development comes in the wake of the organisation’s decision to part ways with its Chief Executive Officer Meshack Tshekedi.
