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By Maduka Nweke
In a city where the bustle of traffic and the haze of industry often cloud the skyline, the Lagos state government is calling on its citizens to become partners in protecting the air they breathe, reminding all that the fight for cleaner skies is a shared responsibility
The state noted that air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing our dear State today and we must work together for improvement. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution is responsible for millions of premature deaths worldwide each year.
Speaking during the Property & Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN), General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Babatunde Ajayi said, in Lagos State, rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and population growth have led to increased emissions from vehicles, generators, and industrial activities. “This has resulted in poor air quality, which poses significant health risks to our citizens. You would recall that of the 6 – point Development Agenda of the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo -Olu administration, popularly called T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda, Pillars 2&3 occupy significant place among other pillars. That is, Health and the Environment.
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“This is not by accident it underscores the Administration’s commitment and preparedness for a lot of policy reforms from the beginning to improve on the environment, to fight pollution and maintain a sustainable environment and quality public health. The challenges we face in managing air quality in Lagos are multifaceted. These include: Vehicular emissions: Lagos has one of the highest numbers of vehicles in Africa, contributing significantly to air pollution. Generator usage: The unreliable power supply in Nigeria leads to widespread use of generators, which emit harmful pollutants to the environment.
“Industrial activities: Our industrial sector contributes to air pollution through emissions from factories and other industrial processes. Most of our industries do not have Effluent/Air Treatment plants and few that have are either malfunctioning or no skilled workers to operate them. As a result, a large number of our industrial organisations discharge their raw Effluent into the environment or the water bodies, while they litter the environment with smoke from various manufacturing activities,” he said.
Ajayi noted that in order to address these challenges, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Environmental protection Agency LASEPA has continued to implement various reform policies of the State government geared towards achieving a pollution free and sustainable environment. “In regulatory measures; we have established emission standards for vehicles and industries. This is made possible through our collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Vehicle Inspection service VIS and other regulatory agencies in the Transportation Sector
“In monitoring and enforcement; we monitor air quality and enforce compliance with regulations especially among industrial facilities in the State. This is to ensure that they all abide by the standard procedures. While in public education: We educate the public on the importance of air quality management. We organize annual Effluent Treatment and Air Abatement Workshop for all industrial facilities in the State to teach them the operational procedures of their Effluent Treatment Plants and Air Abatement treatment plant operations
“In collaboration, we work with stakeholders, including government agencies like the Nigeria Environmental Standard and Regulations Monitoring Association, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) industries, and civil society. LASEPA also carries out a lot of advocacy programs to promote cleaner energy, sustainable transportation, and green infrastructure,” he stated.
