NES Seeks Policy To Curb Automobile Emissions

The Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) has appealed to the Federal Government to set up a regulatory framework for controlling automobile emissions so as to keep the environment safe.
The society made the call in a 22-point communique issued on Tuesday at the end of its 25th Annual General Meeting held in Owerri, Imo.
According to the communiqué, the framework for automobile emissions was necessary to maintain natural capital and make the environment function properly.
It noted that emissions from industrial chimneys should be monitored by experts on regular basis while efforts should be made to minimise gas flaring.
It stated that environmental policy regulators should be more proactive and better equipped, while their staffers should be subjected to regular mandatory training and retraining.
The society stressed the need to subject industrial facilities to regular environmental audit to establish emission compliance.
It advised that effluent limitation standards and other regulatory standards should be advanced and updated to curtail the excesses of industrial activities.
It observed that safety was imperative to employees’ health and essential to human happiness and that success must, therefore, be encouraged in every sphere of the nation’s endeavour.
The NSE was of the view that core principles of waste management (embracing waste reduction, reuse, and recycling) should be emphasised in every sector of our national life.
The communique called for the establishment of organic fertiliser plants based on biodegradable vegetable and other plant wastes in all the states.
It stated that green city initiatives, which enhance ecstatic and natural appeal, should be encouraged.
The society requested that packaging of environmental management instruments like Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Audit (EA), and Environmental Inventory (EI) involve local experts certified by the society.
“The management of Niger Delta should be of priority in view of the natural and anthropogenic hazards applicable to the area especially with respect to oil spillage and marine resources,” NES stated.
At the end of the conference, with theme “Sustainable Development: Unlocking the Core–values of Environmental safety”, the society elected new executive members with Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye emerging as its new President.
Ms Eno Bassey, was elected as the Vice-president 1, Dr Johnbosco Umunnakwe as Vice-president 2, Paul Akporowho is the secretary and Dr Sam Emejuru as the assistant secretary.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye commended the past National President, Olu Andan Wai-Ogosu, for his outstanding achievements during his tenure.
He promised that the new executive would ensure the passage of the Institute of Environmental Professionals of Nigeria (IEPN) bill, as initiated by his predecessor.
“Efforts will be made to carry all chapters along, while new and moribund chapters will be established and revived respectively.
“NES will expand its frontiers in the areas of international collaborations and partnerships for grants, research, training and professional certification,’’ he said.