In order to improve the quality of air in the environment and stop hazardous air pollution from vehicles, the Ogun State Government has flagged-off the Vehicular Emission Control Scheme.
Speaking during the event, at the Skating Ground, Post Office, Ibara, Abeokuta, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, said Consultants from Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) would be conducting tests and issuing a certificate.
“If your vehicle is sighted hissing out smoke, you will be asked your Vehicle Emission Certificate; that certificate will contain what is wrong with your vehicle and you will be given advise on what to do”, he said.
In his address, the Special Adviser to the Governor, OGEPA, Hon. Farouk Akintunde, noted that the initiative was a step towards reducing the negative impact of vehicular emission on the environment and public health.
The Special Adviser emphasised that the vehicular emission control scheme was not just a regulatory requirement, but a moral imperative at protecting the health and well-being of citizens.
“The vehicular emission control scheme is a critical component of Ogun State’s efforts to address the challenges of air pollution, the scheme aims at reducing the emission of harmful pollutants from vehicles.
“We will organise training and capacity building programmes for our enforcement officers to ensure effective monitoring and compliance”, he said.
In his remarks, 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 need for the enforcement team to avoid unnecessary confrontation.
DCP Muritala advised that the scheme should not be limited to vehicular emission alone, but should be extended to burning of tyres, wood burning and bush burning.
Contributing, the Commandant Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Commander Seni Ogunyemi, appealed to all road users to collaborate with the State government at ensuring cleaner and smoke free environment.
Other participants at the flag-off ceremony include, transportation unions, Vehicle Inspection Officers, So-Safe Corps, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Emission Control Scheme Consultants.
Luke Adebesin,
Information and Public Relations Officer, OGEPA
