Ghana: NPA Seeks Review Of Manganese Level In Gasoline After Public Concerns

Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) says it is collaborating with Ghana Standards Authority to review the national standards on gasoline in order to reduce the maximum allowable manganese level in regular gasoline from 18mg/l to 6mg/l and premium gasoline grade from 18mg// to 2mg/l.

Meanwhile, the Authority has directed all importers of fuel to comply with the proposed manganese standards of 6mg/l for regular gasoline and 2mg/l for premium grade.

This was contained in a statement issued by the regulator after their investigation into complaints by some fuel consumers that the performance of their vehicle had reduced due to fuel, they purchased at some retail stations.

“The National Petroleum Authority has received complaints from some petroleum product consumers about the reduced performance of their vehicles which they attribute to fuel that they have purchased at some retail stations in Ghana.

The NPA said its investigation established that all fuel consumed in the country meets the national standards for fuel specification by the Ghana Standards Authority.

The statement explained that the Ghana motor gasoline standard (GS140:2022) allows for some level of trace metals such as manganese up to 18 milligram sperrylite(mg/l).

The statement said hitherto, fuels that were imported into the country had much lower levels of manganese.

However, in recent times, the fuels that have been imported have contained levels of manganese closer to the maximum allowable limit.

It noted that some car manufacturers, including particularly turbo engine vehicles, recommend the use of gasoline that does not contain harmful manganese -based fuel additives citing the Honda CRV 2017 Manual as an example.

Meanwhile, consumer advocacy group COPEC in a press statement dated November 16, 2023, issued by its Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah who expressed concern about the development urged the regulator to address the issue as soon as possible.

“We are by this demanding of the NPA to expedite their efforts in addressing the issue and ensure whatever the probable cause(s) of this menace is promptly nipped in the bud latest by or before the end of this week.”

“Failing of which will lead to a suit on the Authority for reneging on their core mandate of ensuring every litre of petroleum products being sold at the various pumps meet the minimum standards,” COPEC added.

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com