In its effort to reduce health hazards faced by Nigerians from vehicular emission, the Federal Government has developed a draft air quality management action plan.


The Deputy Director, Pollution Control Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ahmed Alfa, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, said the document would be implemented from January 1, 2011.


He said the draft document had been forwarded to the Minister of Environment for approval.


Alfa added that after the approval, the draft would become a working document for all organisations involved in air quality management such as the National Union for Road Transport Workers, among others.


The deputy director said that several stakeholders were involved in the preparation of the document.


Alfa named the stakeholders to include the Vehicle Inspection Office, Federal Road Safety Commission and National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency, among others.


He said that by January 1, 2011, the Federal Government would commence the regulation of vehicular emission in the country.


“Our concern is to make sure that it takes effect from January 1, 2011. Most of the air pollution in Nigeria is caused by automobiles,‘‘ Alfa said.


The deputy director said that the task of regulating and enforcing vehicular emission would be given to NESREA, emphasising, “NESREA will be given the task to enforce and regulate the vehicular emission.‘‘


Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100903791376