By Felix Khanoba
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Joseph Ajienka, has commended the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on the adoption of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards for Turbine and Marine Fuel as Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS).
Ajienka, who is the chairman of the Nigerian National Technical Committee on Petroleum and Petrochemicals, said SON created the avenue for developing the standard, which according to him would help curb pollution in the maritime industry.
He said such pollution could be linked to the high level of greenhouse gas emissions from burning fuels and the negative effect on the environment, emphasizing that the standard would help educate stakeholders in the sector on what is expected of them, while also making the environment safer.
A statement made available to The AUTHORITY in Abuja on Sunday by Bola Fashina, SON’s Head of Public Relations, said Ajienka gave the commendation at a recent Technical Committee (TC) meeting of stakeholders in the downstream sector of the oil and gas sector held in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of SON, Osita Aboloma Esq. re-echoed the importance of standards in protecting the health of consumers and the environment as well as facilitating fair trade practices, particularly with the growing demand for quality and safe products globally.
Represented by the Director, Standards Development, Mrs. Chinyere Egwuonwu, the SON boss explained that Nigeria as a signatory is expected to comply with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulation with regard to the implementation of 0.50per cent m/m maximum Sulphur content in heavy fuel oil used on board during ship operations within controlled areas.
While acknowledging the support of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in convening the TC meeting, Aboloma said the agency’s role as a regulator in maritime activities, would aid the implementation of the standard, and accompanying regulations.
“It would also ensure strict compliance on Nigerian territorial waters, after approval by the Standards Council of Nigeria,” he said.
