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Stand anywhere in Lagos and you can see the
thunderous traffic, which gives this city an energy and
intensity quite unlike any other.
Nigerians call the gargantuan traffic jams of cars, trucks,
buses and vans "go-slows". Trying to get anywhere is
often an exercise in patience and perseverance.
But apart from the frustrations of driving here there is the
serious health impact of air pollution.
Many vehicles belch out huge dark sulphurous clouds of
exhaust emissions - the effects of "dirty fuels".
For the hawkers weaving and bobbing through the traffic
selling an assortment of drinks and snacks, it is a toxic
environmental to work in.
"Sometimes I feel sick. I don't know what causes it -
maybe the fumes or the dust," said one hawker who was
selling tissues.
"I have a little cough now. It's disturbing me but I don't
think it's serious."
Huge breakthrough
But some relief for the hawker and many others left
wheezing in Lagos is at hand.
In a move described as a huge breakthrough by
environmental campaigners, Nigeria is now tackling one
of its major causes of air pollution.
Last December, Nigeria was among five countries in
West Africa that pledged to stop importing dirty fuel used
for vehicles but also to power generators.
The announcement followed a hard-hitting report
accusing European companies of exploiting weak
regulations in West Africa to export fuels with high levels
of sulphur.
The World Health Organisation ranks sulphur particles
from vehicle engines and generators as one of the top
global risks - it is linked to heart disease, lung cancer
and respiratory problems.
For decades, Nigeria relied on colonial-era standards,
which campaigners say were woefully inadequate for
today's needs.
It meant that retailers could export fuel to Nigeria that
had 300 times the amount of sulphur of that which was
legally allowed to be sold in Europe.
Grace period
Now "dirty fuels" will be banned in July when the
government starts enforcing tough new regulations -
roughly in line with European standards.
The government is currently giving importers a six-
month grace period to comply with the new regulations.
"The ban will send a strong signal to the importers that
the government means business," says David Ugolor,
Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and
Economic Justice.
"What's missing in Nigeria governance is trust. If the
government wants to regain trust of the people it will
need to keep on championing this kind of regulation."
Despite being a major oil producer, Nigeria imports most
of its fuel.
But the government says that new refineries being built
in Nigeria will also help alleviate the problem by
producing cleaner fuel.