Aviation, Petroleum Ministries Seek Solution To Tackle Jet A1 Contamination

The ministries of Aviation and Aerospace, and ministry of Petroleum Resources are collaborating to address the contamination of the Jet A1 fuel also known as QAV, used to fuels airplanes and helicopters equipped with jet turbines, turboprops or turbo-fans for air transport.

This followed the recent incidents of contamination of the Jet A1 Fuel in Nigeria, an action which is able to cause wanton death if not abated.

Spokesperson of the aviation ministry, Oluseyi Odutayo said in a statement that this was revealed after the permanent secretary of the ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, paid an advocacy visit to his counterpart at the ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda on Wednesday.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Meribole stated that the essence of his advocacy visit was to apprise the top echelon of the ministry of Petroleum Resources of the worries in the Aviation industry of contaminated Aviation Fuel in Nigeria.

He stated that the issue has gone international as the International Airlines Transport Association (IATA), has stepped into it due to the complaint received from the Airlines operating in Nigeria.

He further informed his host that Nigeria, as a signatory to the Chicago Convention of 1944, must abide by the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), in ICAO Annex 19 which are intended to assist States in managing aviation safety risks.

In his response, Aduda underscored the importance of Aviation to the economic development of any nation and agreed that everything must be humanly done to ensure that the value chain in the importation and supply of Jet A1 to the airlines was not compromised because of its attendant consequences.

He also expressed the appreciation of the ministry of Petroleum Resources for the visit, as it would enable his ministry to synergize and collaborate with the ministry of Aviation and Aerospace on how to forestall the problem of Jet A1 contamination, which if not nipped in the bud, could bring bad image to the country in the international arena, as it might make foreign airlines not to refuel in Nigeria, thereby dwindling the resources that could accrue to the country.