Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESRA), Dr Lawrence Anukam, has said that recent statistics from the Centre for Management Development, has revealed that an estimated 60 million Nigerians spent about N1.6 trillion on generators annually.
Anukam, who made this disclosure at a press briefing on the implementation of the National Generator Emission Control Programme (NGECP) in Abuja, stated that atmospheric pollution is gradually becoming a serious menace in Nigerian cities.
He said that the menace was becoming dangerous in the metropolitan areas, where the use of power generating sets have become an alternative to the power supply.
He stated that WHO Report in the year 2016, holds that ambient air pollution was responsible for 4.2 million deaths worldwide, while it is estimated to cause 16 per cent of the lung cancer for deaths, 25 per cent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 17 per cent of ischemic heart disease and stroke and 26 per cent of respiratory infection deaths.
However he said, the wide range and indiscriminate use of these generators for both domestic and industrial power supply and the quantum of harmful pollutant such as Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon monoxide (CO), and partially unburnt hydrocarbons emitted have contributed greatly to the poor air quality which negatively affects the environment and human health.
He said: “Many cities around the world, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, are experiencing rapid growth; yet in the absence of adequate environmental policy and action, this growth is occurring at considerable, and often increasing economic and social costs.
“The increase in pollution and economic development has escalated the proliferation of industries, use of motor vehicles and the use of generators as alternative energy sources has led to the prevalent. Worldwide air pollution situation which poses a serious environmental threat globally.”
The NESRA boss added: “NESRA in its duties, has the responsibility to enforce compliance with provisions of international agreements; one of such agreement is the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which led to the adoption of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
“Under the agreement, each countries submitted an emission reduction proposal known as the Intended National Determined Contribution (INDC’s), at the conference, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari pledged that Nigeria would reduce its greenhouse emissions by 20% conditionally and 45% unconditionally.
“He reiterated the commitment in subsequent COPS and even at COP24 in Poland this year. As part of Nationally determined contribution (NDC) strategies, is considering 30% of energy efficiency in industries, homes, businesses vehicles and renewable energy.
“The commitment strives to build a climate resilient society across the diverse terrain of Nigeria. It involves measures being considered in setting standards for appliances, generators, buildings and climate smart agriculture.”
Anukam further explained that the NGCP, is a strategy aimed at cutting down emission of pollutants from generators (stationary source). He said that the programme is being implemented under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and will involve periodic testing of generators for toxic emissions.
He stated: “Considering the urgency of the Federal government to see that the implementation of this programme begins, it has become pertinent to give serious consideration to the timeframe and the proposal kick-off date of January 2019 for the full implementation of the programme.
“To ensure that the NGECP becomes a reality, NESREA cannot do it alone, therefore, we are calling on all our respective stakeholders and the general public to join hands with NESREA and make it a reality.”
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