Ogun launches vehicular emission control scheme

The Ogun State Government has launched the Vehicular Emission Control Scheme to curb hazardous air pollution from vehicles.

Speaking at the event, held over the weekend at the Skating Ground, Post Office, Ibara, Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, said the scheme is meant to migrate road users in the state from dirty fuel to cleaner fuel. This initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s aspiration to reduce the country’s carbon footprint, as endorsed by Nigeria through Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

While stating that the scheme is not a revenue-generating initiative or intended to victimize people with smoky cars but strictly to control the quality of air in the environment, he called on vehicle owners to bring their cars for testing. The tests will be conducted by consultants from the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), who will issue emission certificates.

“If your vehicle is, however, sighted emitting smoke, your certificate will contain details of what is wrong with your vehicle, and you will be advised on what to do,” he said.

By subscribing to the scheme, Oresanya said the state would become more livable and free from hazardous vehicular emissions, complementing the state government’s efforts as the first in the country to use CNG-powered buses and electric bikes in its transportation system.

In his keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on OGEPA, Farouk Akintunde, noted that the initiative was a step toward reducing the negative impact of vehicular emissions on the environment and public health.

The Special Adviser emphasized that the scheme was not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative to protect the health and well-being of citizens.

“The vehicular emission control scheme is a critical component of the state’s efforts to address the challenges of air pollution. The scheme aims to reduce the emission of harmful pollutants from vehicles.

“We will organize training and capacity-building programmes for our enforcement officers to ensure effective monitoring and compliance,” he added.

In his remarks, the State Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Bolanle Muritala, spoke extensively on the need for uniformity in the operations of the scheme across the state and the importance of the enforcement team avoiding unnecessary confrontation.

Muritala also advised that the scheme should not be limited to vehicular emissions alone but should be extended to the burning of tyres, wood burning, and bush burning because of their harmful effects on the environment and public health.

Contributing to the discussion, the Corps Commandant of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Commander Seni Ogunyemi, appealed to all road users to collaborate with the state government in ensuring a cleaner and smoke-free environment.

Other participants at the flag-off ceremony included various transportation unions, Vehicle Inspection Officers, So-Safe Corps, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, who all pledged their allegiance to the success of the scheme due to its numerous environmental and public health advantages.

A highlight of the flag-off event was the conduction of emission tests on private and public transportation vehicles, with certificates presented to their owners.