Why marketers divert aviation fuel to kerosene use

A higher profit margin has compelled fuel marketers to now divert Jet A1, also known as aviation fuel, to domestic use as kerosene, so says a finding.

The price of kerosene has continued to soar because of inadequate supply while the marketers have allegedly started selling aviation fuel to replace it, thereby multiplying their gains.

As at last week, a litre of Jet A1 fuel goes for between N198 to N200, whereas same Kerosene goes for between N250 and N355, depending on location.

The findings proved that diversion of the product through normal fuel stations, contrary to approved practice, is informed by a sudden rise by about 300 per cent in price of kerosene in late July.

Kerosene and jet fuel are nearly identical in components except for a few additives, which make the normal kerosene have an industrial use with less sulfur.

While experts say the difference between the two could lead to danger, if misapplied, the marketers claim they are not running fowl of any rule.

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However,  the scarcity of foreign exchange,  currently hitting  the country, has made it very difficult for oil marketers to import and supply petroleum products to meet demands of all segments of the economy, thereby introducing black markets and  products adulteration  in the system.

Aviation fuel scarcity has been taking a toll on the sector since the recession of Nigerian economy.

 

But experts have warned of the dangers inherent in substituting one product for the use of the other, citing cases of explosions in some towns in the past as a result.

 

A senior official of one of the major airlines that runs both local and international routes said the operators had drawn the attention of the authorities on the issue but that, as at date, no word had come, from neither the NNPC nor the supervising ministries on that.

 

But a spokesman of the Ministry of Petroleum Services said there were plans to find a lasting solution to scarcity of aviation fuel in the country, with an action being put in place towards making one of the refineries Jet A1 producer.

By Emma Eke…

 

 

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