Vivo Energy Managing Director Wayne Kingwill is worried that the Botswana petroleum industry has recently been exposed to adulterated fuels.

He made the revelation during a stakeholder meeting at the Francistown Vivo depot last week.

“These lower quality products not only have the potential to cause damage to customers’ vehicles but because they are generally cheaper they also discourage fair competition.

The company had invited some of its key stakeholders and industry partners to a guided tour of their Francistown Depot as well as giving them the opportunity to test fuel in its upgraded laboratory which is equipped with the state of the art technology. Vivo Energy distributes and markets Shell Fuels and lubricants.

Kingwill assured stakeholders that Shell Fuels and lubricants operate in accordance with Shell’s global Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) standards while meeting all applicable legislation.

He said this also applies controlling product quality across its supply chain. To ensure that Shell’s high quality fuels and lubricants reach the end user at the exacting quality levels they should, Kingwill said Vivo Energy has in place elaborate quality control processes along its entire supply chain.

“One of the many examples of this is a modern fuel testing laboratory at the company’s Francistown Depot. Besides Laboratories at the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, ours is currently the only fuel testing laboratory in Botswana,” he said.

He said in conclusion that they made the decision to showcase their depot operations, demonstrating product testing procedures and explaining how they control product quality at each point in the supply chain. Kingwill said they also subject themselves to a rigorous regime of independent fuels quality audits.

“These audits not only test the quality of our base fuels, but also for the correct quantities and specifications of our unique Shell V Power and Shell Fuel save additives. This ensures that we consistently deliver on our customer promise with regard to unique benefits Shell Fuel offer. Customers who care for their engines should not be looking no further that the next Shell Service Station.

Vivo Energy Botswana was established in 2012 and the Shell Brand has been in Botswana for over 100 years.