Reducing vehicular emissions, key to tackling air pollution – NESREA

The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Lawrence Anukam, has said that reducing vehicular emissions is crucial to tackling air pollution in the country.

Dr Anukam stated this on Monday in Abuja at a training workshop and handing over of the National Vehicular Emission Control Programme (NVECP) equipment.

The director general said in Nigeria, vehicular emissions have been made intense by the increasing number of old and poorly maintained vehicles

“Despite their numerous benefits, automobiles have continued to be a major source of air pollution.  There has been a rapid increase of cars on our roads and the problem of pollution has increased exponentially along with the growth of the number of cars,” he said.

He explained that “as a result of exposure to air pollutants, we are faced with several environmental challenges such as climate change, acid rain, threat to ecosystem and biodiversity”, adding that, the problems could lead to major irreversible destruction of the environment.

While noting that reducing vehicular pollutants can significantly enhance air quality, improve public health and save billions of naira in health care cost, the NESREA boss said the programme will help in keeping cars road worthy.

“Effective vehicular emissions reductions requires integrated strategic approach that involves improvements in emissions standard, cleaner fuels, vehicular inspections and maintenance as well as efficient transport planning,” he said

According to him, the whole idea is to make it a local venture and that it is another way for government to ensure clean air and healthy environment.

While noting that the agency would hand over the equipment for measuring petrol and diesel as well as laptop to the operators for the commencement of the programme, he said the “mode of enforcement should not be left to NESREA alone as you would work with VIO, road safety and the police.”

He said the certification validity is one year and every car tested would have a tag.