Chairman, Governing Board of Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB, Dr Yahaya Bawuro, has said the agency embarked on environmental projects to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said this during global awareness on air pollution and ways to address them.
Bawuro said AEPB had been involved in many projects to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution such as banning the use of tires to burn meat in abattoirs.
“We are embarking on campaign against open defecation, bush burning and trees planting.
“We have also been engaged in the Blue Bin Project to encourage recycling of waste materials thereby reducing the quantum of waste that goes to its landfill and reduce the methane gas emission in the dump sites,’’ he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr Christian Ohaa, expressed FCTA’s commitment towards ensuring hitch-free environment.
Ohaa, who was represented by Mr Usman Yahaya said FCT Administration was committed in mitigating environmental hazards and enhancing healthy environment for the present and future generation of residents.
According to him, “we can’t stop breathing but we can do something about the air we breath. It’s a wake up call for people of the world to rethink its waste management strategies in order to safeguard the health and well-being of the planet.
“Household air pollution is responsible for about 3.8 million premature deaths while outdoor air pollution kill 4.2 million people prematurely annually,” he stressed.
An Associate Professor, Dr. Edicha Abdullahi, from the department of Geography and Environment, University of Abuja, said tree planting and solar energy investment would assist in addressing air pollution in the country.
Abdullahi urged AEPB to intensify efforts in tree planting and enforce law against pollutants of the environment.
According to him, “pollutants should be made to face the wrath of law and pay for pollution they cause the environment.”
He asked the government to make LPG and kerosene available for the people to reduce the emission causing air pollution.
