Environment
NESREA Set To Launch Vehicular Emission Testing
The Director General, Na
tional Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Lawrence Anukam, says the agency would launch Vehicular Emission Testing (VET) programme for effective monitoring and compliance of vehicular emission.
Anukam told newsmen at a press conference on Monday in Abuja that the vehicular emission could cause air pollution.
“A lot of bad vehicles are on the road, we are making all these efforts for effective monitoring and compliance of our vehicular emission through ensuring vehicular testing of vehicles.
“We are launching the programme in August. We have met with the officials of Federal Road Safety Commission and we are also going to meet with other relevant agencies,’’ he said.
Anukam said that the programme would be starting from Abuja as a pilot scheme, adding that the purpose of the programme was to ensure that vehicles operating in the country must have the emission permit.
“With this programme, it will help to ensure that the engine of vehicles are operating fully, because the agency has noticed that it has caused a lot of accident on the road.
“Through the support of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and Road Safety Corps the programme will be effective, they will stop any vehicle they notice brings out smoke and check the engine.
“When they discover that such vehicle is producing emission it will help us to identify that something is wrong in the manufacturing of such vehicles and we are also going to work with Nigeria Automatic Council and some private sector operators,’’ he said.
He noted that the agency had developed 28 regulations on various specific areas of environment.
He said that the agency had collaborated with the Ministry of Justice to ensure good working relationship to enable it actualise the regulation.
He said that the agency ensured that the implementation of the regulations would ensure effective compliance and monitoring both in the federal and state levels of government.
The NESREA boss said that the agency was committed to assist various industries on the regulated community in ensuring that they adapt the spirit of voluntary compliance.
He said that the agency had issued permit in various areas such as toxic substances permit, permit on air qualities and on diversities conversation.
Anukam said that the agency had done a lot on the issuing of permit to organisation and encouraged all the industries to make sure they applied for appropriate permit.
He said that the agency had also collaborated with some agencies such as Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerians Customs Service, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency.
According to him, the collaboration will enable to identify various wastes chains, like electronics waste, the tyre, used battery, among others for effective and proper recycling of the waste chains.
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
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