Chronicle Editor
THE festive season which coincides with the rainy season is a critical period where road users should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidents and loss of life.
In successive years, many accidents are recorded during this period mostly due to human error and partly because of mechanical failure.
There are many causes for a vehicle’s mechanical failure and one of them is the consumption of contaminated fuel.
According to E-ZOIL, an international manufacturer of vehicle oils, the consumption of contaminated fuel can result in poor engine performance which includes reduced engine revolutions per minute, decreased power for the engine, increased fuel consumption, poor cycle time, hard starting, engine knocking, exhaust smoke, and rough running.
Contaminated fuel, according to the organisation, causes inefficient fuel flow and is highly likely to cause engine failure.
“Contamination reduces the effectiveness of the detergents in fuel, which are designed to remove deposits that build up in the engine. Failure to remove these deposits could cause the engine to shut down,” said the organisation.
“Contamination reduces the effectiveness of detergents in the fuel, leading to increased deposit build-up on critical fuel system components and lead to a greater likelihood of engine failure.”
The use of contaminated fuel E-ZOIL said, clogs fuel injectors and corrosion of the fuel pump.
It is against this background that we commend the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) for exposing six fuel service stations in Bulawayo for flouting standard operating regulations and duping motorists by selling contaminated fuel and blended fuel claiming it is unleaded.
The errant fuel dealers have been dragged to court and fined different amounts, Zera chief executive officer, Mr Eddington Mazambani, confirmed the development on Monday.
The six companies are; Meizon Amakhosi, Bulawayo, which was fined US$$300 for selling contaminated diesel and Petromoc Exor, which was charged for selling blended fuel as unblended and was fined US$300.
Clean Liquids has also been charged for selling contaminated diesel and fined US$300, the same with Clean Easy which was fined US$400.
Heaven S/St, Bulawayo was fined US$150 for selling contaminated diesel, while Oil Twenty 20 was fined US$400 for selling contaminated fuel.
Mr Mazambani said the prosecution of the service stations was part of a national compliance initiative.
“The location and allocation of land for service stations is governed by the local authorities concerned. Service stations are required to meet EMA and Fire Departments’ safe storage of fuel requirements,” he said.
“Ultimately, service stations need a Zera licence to operate and before they are given the licence, they must demonstrate compliance with the following key standards or codes for the petroleum industry.”zERA,
Online Reporter