By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
The Federal Government has identified vehicular emissions as the greatest contributor to air pollution in Nigeria.
This issue, it said, is further exacerbated in our country by the numerous old, second-hand, and third-hand vehicles on the roads.
The Minister of State for the Environment, Iziaq Salako, was quoted to have said this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, observed annually on September 7.
The Minister listed other sources of air pollution to include industrial activities, illegal refining, gas flaring, refuse burning, household cooking and power generation.
Stressing the need to improve air quality, amid global concerns about air pollution as the world’s single largest environmental health risk, Mr. Salako lauded the Federal Government’s initiative to promote alternative fuels.
The government will implement measures, including tariffs and taxes, to discourage the importation of old vehicles and encourage local manufacturing.
These include compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) popularly called cooking gas, and electric vehicles, to enhance air quality.
He however warned that failing to address air pollution would have far-reaching consequences for public health, the economy, and the environment.
He assured Nigerians that the government would implement measures, including tariffs and taxes, to discourage the importation of old vehicles and encourage local manufacturing.
Regarding the Clean Air for Blue Skies, the Minister said the day aimed to raise awareness about the importance of clean air for human and environmental health, productivity, and economic growth.
He appealed for collective investment in clean air, citing the global agenda to reduce air pollutants by 50% by 2030, adding: “For us to be healthy, we must breathe healthy air. Let us all invest in clean air now.”
