Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire have introduced strict standards that will cut off supply of Europe’s “dirty fuel’. The introduction of these measures comes after increased concern over the vehicle pollution crisis from imported poor fuels.
According to Nigeria’s Environment minister, Amina J. Mohammed, the decision will help to improve air quality in the cities as well as allow for the setting of modern vehicle standards.
“Today we are taking a huge leap forward limiting sulphur in fuels from 3,000 parts per million to 50 parts per million,” she said.
A report released by Public Eye in September this year, revealed that presence of weak regulatory standards in West Africa was the source of exploitation by European trading companies, one that saw the companies import fuels with sulphur levels that were up to 300 times higher than those allowed in Europe.
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has welcomed the move, congratulating the West Africa Countries for placing the health of their people first. “We need to ensure that all countries urgently introduce cleaner fuels and vehicles to help reduce the shocking statistics, “stated Mr. Eric Solheim, head of UNEP.
The World Health Organization has ranked sulphur particles emitted by the diesel engine as one of the top global health risks, associated with heart disease and respiratory problems.
