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21.03.2003 General News

Ghana To Use Unleaded Fuel

21.03.2003 LISTEN
By Graphic

Ghana will from July, this year, switch from the use of leaded fuel to unleaded one. The country will join the league of African countries already using this type of fuel.

They are Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi. The Business Development Manager of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Mr E. K. Quartey told the Graphic in an interview that more than 85 per cent of countries in the world have adopted the use of unleaded gasoline.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established that smoke which emanates from leaded vehicles causes cancer and high blood pressure in adults, impaired mental development and reduces intelligence behavioural disorders in children.

Mr Quartey explained that the idea to adopt the use of unleaded fuel was conceived following a Regional Conference on the phasing-out of leaded gasoline in sub-saharan Africa in June 2001, which was attended by 25 countries.

The country will benefit from $3.4 million annually, if it switches to the use of unleaded fuel.

''The money which was being used to purchase lead will now be used to settle part of the loan which was contracted by the TOR to set up the Residual Fluidised Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) Plant to supplement the old plant,'' Mr Quartey said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) have given their approval for the project to take off in July.

Other collaborating agencies are the Energy Commission, the ministries of Environment and Science and Health, Vehicle Importing Companies as well as the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

Mr Quartey was emphatic that the new programme will not amount to increases in fuel prices. The country, he explained, has its own logistical support to make the initiative work, citing the support of the two processing plants which will allow the removal of the lead without any cost.

He also assured motorists that the lead-free gasoline will not have any negative effects on their vehicles.

''The project is a clean air initiative for all Ghanaians which will cut down cost, promote good health and environment,'' Mr Quartey said, and appealed to all Ghanaians to embrace the initiative.

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