Lagos — THE Federal Government seems set to address the issue of ethanol content in the specification of Premium Motor Spirit popularly called petrol for the Nigerian market.

Vanguard investigations revealed that virtually all the major marketers of petroleum products in the country may have made it clear to government that it is in the country's interest to ensure a specified ethanol content in products meant for local consumption as it is becoming difficult to avoid ethanol presence in petrol.

Most of the marketers may consider suspending the importation of products if the government fails to come up with a specified standard which could signal a shortage of supply.

According to sources, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON),the body responsible for standards for all classes of imports meet stakeholders in the industry yesterday in Lagos in a bid to chart the way forward.

The meeting attended by representatives from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) may recommend an ethanol induced fuel for the Nigerian market.

Some of those who attended the meeting told Vanguard that a previous meeting on the issue made it clear that it has become necessary to specify the level of ethanol tolerance in the petrol to be sold to the Nigerian consumers.

The existing Nigerian standard for gasoline NIS 116:2005 does not specify ethanol content in PMS. The stakeholders meeting which continues today is expected to come out with a joint communique which would give a definite position on the issue.