By ADRIAN MWANZA
THE quality of diesel on the market after the migration to low Sulphur diesel from high Sulphur diesel should be verified by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), says an energy expert, Mr Johnstone Chikwanda.
Mr Chikwanda said it was important to implement quality management protocols in real time capable of verifying the quality of diesel on the market to avoid the smuggling of high Sulphur diesel into the country.
He said this notwithstanding, the migration to low Sulphur diesel from high Sulphur diesel was a welcome development because it seeks to implement a clean fuels mandate which is in line with the greening agenda being pursued by the country.
Mr Chikwanda said High Sulphur particle diesel was not good for the environment and contributed to the immiseration of human respiratory challenges.
“The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has directed that only 50ppm diesel will be sold on the Zambian market and describes this diesel as low Sulphur. However, low Sulphur diesel is 500ppm while 50ppm is known as ultra-low Sulphur diesel.
“Therefore, there is need to clarify this mix up on the descriptions. The statement which has been issued appear to have used a different description for a different product,” Mr Chikwanda said.
He said the ERB and ZCSA should follow up this migration by amending relevant legal frameworks and standards to have legal backing of the new development because the current framework allowed for both low and high Sulphur diesel in the country.
Mr Chikwanda called on the ERB and ZCSA to enhance and implement quality management protocols in real time capable of verifying the quality of diesel on the market to avoid the smuggling of high Sulphur diesel into the country and declaring it as low Sulphur diesel because high Sulphur diesel was a lot cheaper than ultra-low Sulphur diesel.
