By Neo Kolane
The Petroleum Fund has commissioned a local environmental management services company, Group II, to conduct a feasibility study on the recycling of used oil in Lesotho.
The Fund’s strategic plan for 2020-2025 includes a commitment to find projects that promote economic growth and job creation within the petroleum sector.
It also aims to ensure that petroleum products have minimal negative impact on the environment.
Speaking at the recent Used Oil Stakeholder Forum on behalf of Petroleum Fund chief executive officer Thato Mohasoa, operations manager Lebohang Mokhoali said no one really knows how and where used oil is disposed hence the need for the Fund to look for experts to establish this.
He also explained that there was need to protect the environment.
“We want to align ourselves with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)) 1 which seeks to ensure there’s no poverty, SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and SDG 12 (consumption and production), through this project,” he indicated.
Mokhoali added that the study recommended the best course of action and also established the amount of oil used in the country.
It further probed the extent of environmental damage, treatment methods available, associated expenses and feasibility of suitable interventions.
Group II team leader, Motsotuoa Makoa, said they also determined the effect of processing used oil in the country and locations that could be used for doing this.
The group talked to large oil companies that bring oil into the country, filling stations, local spare parts outlets, consumers of virgin oil, and road construction companies. Makoa noted that about one million litres of virgin oil are imported into the country every year.
