Lagos State government has urged residents to repair their leaking gas, refrigerators, and other cooling equipment, just as they must ensure that technicians use the correct gases and not ozone-depleting gases.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr Babatunde Ajayi, stated this on Tuesday during a programme to mark this year’s World Ozone Day celebration themed ‘From Science to Global Action’ by LASEPA.
World Ozone Day is observed every September 16, and it is officially recognised as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
Ajayi stated that the programme was held in line with this year’s World Ozone Day theme, which calls for action rather than mere rhetoric.
According to him, this is why critical stakeholders, including technicians, have been invited so that measures can be taken to prevent further depletion of the ozone layer.
He added that science has revealed many insights about ozone layer, including recommendations.
According to him, there are penalties for those who use ozone-depleting gases, although critical stakeholders like technicians have been complying, especially when their attention is drawn to taking the right steps.
He further stated that his agency regularly conducts awareness programmes and campaigns across local councils among key stakeholders to achieve better outcomes and prevent the depletion of ozone layers.
The President of The Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air conditioning Practitioners (NARAP), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, who was represented by Mr Ogunsanya Olawale, noted that though the ozone layer is on the path to recovery, the people and critical stakeholders must recommit themselves to best global practices, support sustainable practices and take environmentally conscious decisions.
In her keynote address, the Federal Controller of Environment and South West Director, Mrs Adenike Olabimpe Oladunni, stated that Ozone layer depletion is a global environmental problem that requires a global responsibility to address.
She further stated that the power of science is most effective when combined with decisive global and local actions.
