LAGOS STATE: VEHICLE EMISSION TEST SET TO COMMENCE THIS YEAR

The Lagos State Government has once again reiterated its readiness to commence vehicle emission test on vehicles plying the metropolis soon. It says the decision is a strategy to reduce air pollution and part of a continuing effort to reduce rate of accidents linked to excessive smoke-emitting vehicles.

It added that the exercise, which would commence this year, was necessary and would not be rescinded. It would be recalled that the immediate past government of Babatunde Fashola had sought to implement this policy but never actually got it off the ground.

The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Adebola Shabi, who stated this, also decried the proliferation of products with dangerous gaseous substances in the state, adding that out of the estimated 500,000 outlawed products illegally imported into the country, 80 per cent were in Lagos.

He spoke at an event to mark the 2016 Ozone Day, organised by LASEPA in conjunction with the Nigeria Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Practitioners.

Shabi said the continuous patronage of fairly used product and the porous nature of the nation’s border made it easy for dangerous products to come into Lagos.

He said LASEPA was collaborating with federal agencies to prevent the importation and circulation of dangerous products in the state.

He said, “But we have porous borders; there are some chemicals that have been internationally banned about 23 years ago but they still find their way into the country. That is why we will continue to sensitise our residents because 80 per cent of the chemicals and other e-wastes stop in Lagos.

“That is why we will commence vehicle emission test before the end of the year. It is one of the steps to reduce air pollution.”

LASEPA GM described Ozone Day as a vehicle through which the United Nations stimulated worldwide awareness on environmental issues.

To reduce ozone layer depletion, Shabi urged Nigerians, especially Lagosians, to embrace public transport.

He also called for usage of environmental friendly products, warning that the state government would deal with anyone caught using ozone depleting gases.