Businessman Femi Otedola has blamed the incessant air crashes in the nation’s air space on bad aviation fuel, adding that Household Kerosene (HHK) is being sold to airlines as a substitute for Jet A1 fuel, also called aviation turbine kerosene (ATK).
Otedola who owns Forte Oil, a major marketer of refined petroleum products company, made this allegation in a statement signed by him where he drew the attention of the authority to the prevailing business model of unscrupulous oil marketers.
“This illicit act has been identified as a major factor contributing to the rising cost of kerosene in the country and may also be the cause of some of the air mishaps we have encountered in the country in recent times.
“It is pertinent to state that HHK is sold by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), an arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the ex-depot and regulated price of N40.90k with the objective of selling to the average Nigerian at the pump price of N50.00k per litres.
“However, HHK shares some physical and chemical properties with Jet A1 fuel (except for the storage and handling procedures to eliminate contamination in Jet A1 fuel) is being sold by some petroleum marketers to both local and international airlines at the international market price, which may be as high as N140/litre. This huge arbitrage has led to evolution of some mushroom aviation fuel marketers who see this as an opportunity to make big profit.
“But with proper handling procedures in place, fuel contamination capable of causing problems to the aircraft can be eliminated. In addition, Jet A1 DEF STAN 91-91 (UK) and ASTM D1655 (international) specifications allow for certain additives to be added to jet fuel, these include; Antioxidants to prevent gumming, Antistatic agents, to dissipate static electricity and prevent sparking , Corrosion inhibitors and Fuel system icing inhibitor.
“Based on the foregoing, it is pertinent that the unwholesome activities of these mushroom operators be curbed in order to ensure highest levels of safety and global best practice in the Aviation industry in Nigeria,” Femi Otedola said in the statement where he attributed the incessant crashes in Nigeria’s air space to bad aviation fuel.
