The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), government agencies and stakeholders have decried human activities that contribute to poor air quality across the country.
They condemned these acts at the close of the international conference organised by Centre for Atmospheric Research, an activity centre of NASRDA, in collaboration with the Osun State University, and Penn State University, USA.
The conference, which lasted from Monday to Friday, focused on COVID-19, Air Quality and Environment, was themed: “Fighting Pollution: A Silent Threat to our Existence.”
Director, Centre for Atmospheric Research, Prof. Babatunde Rabiu, said the Centre in the past few years had sited air quality sensors across different locations of the country.
Rabiu said the sensors were primarily to aid research on air quality, which should improve a habitable environment for humans, adding that the Centre has several air monitors across Nigeria.
“We have nine clarity devices and 27 Purple Air sensors connected to us asides those connected to other individuals across the country,” he said.
Provost, College of Science and Engineering, Osun State University, Prof. Israel Oyewole, drew the attention of the government and agencies to air pollution, as well as the need to address issues on bush burning.
Oyewole called for improvement on the regulation of industry activities, as well as emissions into the environment, saying: “If we don’t control pollution, we are in a dangerous situation that will be affecting us.”
Addressing pollution
Osun Coordinator, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Chukwunweizu Maike, said the agency has about 34 regulations.
Maike said the regulations are on air pollution, vehicular emission, ozone layer, surface and ground water pollution, among many others.
He further said NESREA in the state is ensuring compliance, monitoring of facilities, mining, base metal facilities and sanitation activities.
“We arrange mediation meetings to address community crises and currently, we have an issue of mining that almost led to the cancellation of the annual Osun Osogbo festival in August.
“Mining in Osun is rising and we are currently investigating ground and surface water pollution, particularly where we have the mining companies in Ilesha and Ile-Ife axis.
“Once we are done with the investigation, some of these companies may be sealed or will be made to face the right penalty,” Maike said.
A Deputy General Manager, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Mrs Olumide Olaniyan, said the agency is proposing to establish more stations across the country to further monitor air quality.
Olaniyan said continuous pollution of the environment caused climate change, while it affected the health of humans.
She recalled that the World Meteorological Organisation, ranked Nigeria as one of the worst polluted countries in Africa.
“Polluting the atmosphere causes global warming and this causes an increase in temperature that will lead to evaporation, hence intense floods.
“Pollution is serious, we need to do something about it and the Sustainable Development Goals have given the mandate for zero emissions by 2030, and I don’t think we are close to that,” Olaniyan said.
She urged policy makers to be sterner in establishing policies that promote clean air.
Pollution is serious, we need to do something about it and the Sustainable Development Goals have given the mandate for zero emissions by 2030, and I don’t think we are close to that.
The Vice-Chancellor, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Prof. Fuwape Ibiyinka, said: “As individuals, we need to cultivate better habits that promote clean air and environment. “How can we reduce indoor, outdoor pollution, either as a nation or individuals, as agencies, institutions?
“We need to start taking care of our environment, whatever we do to our environment, pollutes our lives collectively, whether soil, water or even air, it is a cycle.
“As individuals, we have the responsibility to ensure that we take care of our environment, because if we default, the environment will react.”
According to her, rural people still use firewood, adding, “There is a need to develop renewable stoves, solar operated stoves, we should not just complain, but provide alternatives that are cheap.
“We also need to educate people on the dos and don’ts, as well as the need to engage the Ministry of Health so they can carry it as a health issue for a collaborative effort towards better health.”
Dr Gabriel Fawole, from School of the Environment, University of Portsmouth, UK, recommended for wastes to be buried in place of burning them and recycling of wastes.
Fawole said in the developed world, some human activities like travelling on air for short trips, driving some distance were regulated to avoid emissions that come from those means of transportation.
He also said: “Everyone needs to control his indoor pollution,” adding that 10 to 20% of air pollution generated outdoors affects the indoors.
“If the environment is dusty, keep your windows shut, because when these pollutants come in, they don’t go out and when you generate pollution indoors, they don’t go out easily.”
There were a series of technical sessions that took place at the conference, all suggesting ways the government, institutions and individuals can contribute towards a healthy and better environment. (NAN)
