Vivo launches mobile fuel-testing lab

By David Mugabe
 
KAMPALA - Vivo Energy launched a mobile fuel-testing laboratory Wednesday as a step towards curbing adulterated fuel on the market.

At the launch of the Mobie Fuel Testing lab at Shell Lugogo, Vivo Energy Managing Director Hans Paulsen and URA Commissioner of Customs Richard Kamajugo looked at some samples of the pure fuel and that mixed with water.
 
Uganda’s petroleum industry has suffered from adulterated fuels mainly from unscrupulous dealers mixing mainly kerosene with diesel and petrol to maximize gains.

These adulterated products not only cause damage to the vehicles’ engine but also discourage fair competition among the operating oil companies.
 
A statement from Vivo Energy indicates that the company has obtained a mobile fuel-testing laboratory that is equipped with tools to conduct onsite preliminary tests, randomly, to detect any tampering that could occur at our Shell Fuel Stations.
 
Paulsen said: “it helps guarantee the quality of the products that eventually goes into customers’ tanks.”

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Vivo Energy MD Hans Paulsen and URA Commissioner of Customs Richard Kamajugo look at some samples of the pure fuel and that mixed with water. PHOTO/Nicholas Oneal

Dr. Ben Manyindo, the Executive Director of National Bureau of Standards, praised Vivo Energy for its proactive approach to quality assurance.

“It greatly enhances the work that Vivo Energy is already doing and provides additional support to the work UNBS is also doing with our mobile vans. Vivo Energy works in partnership with us to offer support.

"They have also opened up their laboratory for us to conduct further tests whenever the need arises. Apart from the UNBS lab, Vivo Energy is the only oil company with a modern fuel testing lab in the country” he said.

The mobile testing lab is equipped to produce key test results within 30 minutes