- The National Action Plan on SLCPs has identified 22 mitigation actions to decrease black carbon and methane emissions by approximately 80% and 60%, respectively
- The Permanent Secretary plans to support a specialized Air Quality System in the Ministry, reengineering environmental research, justice, and science programming to meet national needs
The federal government has commissioned Air Quality Station to address Nigeria’s reported 44.8% air pollution rate, which places the nation as the 10th most polluted nation in Africa.
James Sule, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, stated during the ceremony in Abuja that the event was crucial to the Ministry’s ability to carry out its mandate in relation to putting the National Action Plan on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (NAP-SLCPs) into practise, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in July 2019.
In order to reduce black carbon and methane by around 80% and 60%, respectively, the National Action Plan on SLCPs outlined 22 specific mitigation strategies, according to Sule.
According to Sule the Ministry is providing the technological tool to implement the 13th Abatement measure under the Waste Management theme in the Plan. This project is one of the two projects that would be commissioned in Waste Management under 2022 Capital Projects of the Ministry, he said.
“The project which is the first of its kind by the Ministry is a veritable technological tool and driver in harnessing the opportunities and potential of environmentally friendly technologies that are indigenous and are readily domesticated in Nigeria and Africa, taking into cognizance the common peculiarities of the African continent.
“It is no doubt that air quality systems have been in existence for many years, but this innovation by AirQo brings to the fore the ingenuity of our people in solving out own problems in the most appealing ways with an emphasis on global best practices.”
The Permanent Secretary who is the champion of the innovation added that it will also provide the needed support and leadership that is key in birthing a highly specialised Air Quality System in the Ministry that would reengineer critical prospects for environmental research, environmental justice, and environmental Sciences and Technology programming that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of our people as a nation.
“As you are aware, Nigeria has an air pollution rate of 44.8% and is the 10th most polluted country in Africa, followed by Uganda and Ethiopia. This is why, it is of our interest that this innovation was researched and developed in Uganda that has a common air quality problem” he said.
He commended Dr. Peter Ekweozoh, the Director in charge of Environmental Sciences and Technology Department in the ministry for identifying and aligning the ministry with this solution.
He however,lamented that in 2018, reports show that over 11,200 premature deaths were estimated to be the direct result of poor air quality in Nigeria.
“According to the World Bank, 94% of the population in Nigeria is exposed to air pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines, and air pollution damage costs about 1% post of Gross Domestic Product.
“ It is of note, that nine (9) out of ten (10) people breathe polluted air. Air pollution is a big issue in Nigeria and has remained a recurrent decimal in our history, and it is timely to tackle the ugly monster headlong with all hands on deck. The use of firewood and coal to cook contributes to the air pollution crisis in Nigeria,” he added.
Dr. Ekweozoh in his remarks said the move has become imperative following the health hazards associated with the air pollution in Nigeria.