The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has waived off, for three years, an ECOWAS specification regarding the quantity of sulphur allowed in petrol and diesel produced by local refineries.
The ECOWAS Harmonised Specification for Automotive Fuels requires that fuel produced locally or imported should contain sulphur up to 50 milligrams (mg)/kilogram (kg) part per million (ppm).
However, in a statement issued by its Corporate Affairs Directorate yesterday, the NPA has waived the specification for licensed local refineries until December 31, 2024.
The statement explained that the waiver ensures that local refineries remain operational whilst introducing measures to meet the sulphur requirements stipulated in the ECOWAS Harmonised Specifications for Automotive Fuels.
The statement said diesel and petrol imported into the country would continue to comply with the sulphur requirements stipulated by the ECOWAS.
It said applying this temporary waiver to local refineries would result in price differentials in the sale and purchase of diesel and regular petrol at the retail outlets concerning their permissible sulphur content.
According to NPA, where fuel from a retail outlet exceeds the stipulated sulphur content, the oil marketing company would have to produce evidence that they procured from a local refinery. Failure may result in a financial penalty.
