BERA Quarantines 3.3 Million Litres of Suspected Contaminated Fuel

BERA Quarantines 3.3 Million Litres of Suspected Contaminated Fuel. The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has announced that it has isolated 3.3 million litres of unleaded petrol (ULP95) suspected to be contaminated with metals. The move comes as part of the Authority’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that fuel supplied in Botswana meets national standards.

In a statement, BERA confirmed that it is working closely with Botswana Oil to quarantine the fuel, which is suspected to contain lead and manganese. These additives, once commonly used, were banned in the early 2000s due to environmental and health concerns. The Botswana Standard on Unleaded Petrol (BOS577) explicitly excludes metals, making the suspected contamination a matter of regulatory concern.

BERA explained that its own tests on fuel quality sourced from Namcor revealed the presence of metals. Based on these results, the Authority advised Botswana Oil not to distribute the fuel within the country.

“Both the Authority and Botswana Oil commit to ensuring that fuel supplied to and used in Botswana is of acceptable standards. Once investigations are completed, the public will be informed of the outcome and the necessary steps to be taken. We shall continue to monitor fuel quality and encourage consumers to remain vigilant,” the statement read.

Currently, each truck transporting fuel pays border charges collected by the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), underscoring the importance of maintaining quality assurance in the supply chain. The isolated fuel will remain quarantined until investigations are concluded and corrective measures are determined.

This development highlights the importance of strict monitoring and regulatory oversight in Botswana’s energy sector, ensuring that consumer safety and environmental standards remain a priority.