Swiss commodity traders
accused of deliberately blending toxic fuel and dumping it in West Africa are
blaming African governments for failing to invest in refineries and newer
vehicles to lower exhaust emissions that cause respiratory and other diseases.
Associated
Press report continues:
The
Geneva-based African Refiners Association representing many traders says
"the role of improving fuel quality in Africa clearly rests with African
governments, not with the fuel suppliers."
It
was responding to allegations from Swiss watchdog Public Eye accusing traders
of deliberately adding toxic products that lower fuel quality to increase
profits at the expense of Africans' health.
Public
Eye said traders including Vitol and Trafigura provide Europe with fuel that
has 10 parts per million of sulfur while creating what's called "African
Quality" fuel that has 2,000 ppm or more of sulfur.
According to its website, the ARA was formed ten years ago in order to provide a pan-African voice for the African oil supply, refining and distribution industry. The ARA represents not only their African refinery members but also many product importers, storage companies, marketers and government regulators.
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