… Identifies Four Major Sources of Air Pollution, Embarks on Measures for Clean Air
The Lagos State Government has joined the rest of the world to commemorate Y2021 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies with a webinar session.
Speaking during the session themed: “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet”, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environmental Services, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye, noted that Lagos, as Africa’s fastest-growing Mega City, is confronted with myriads of environmental challenges, particularly from four major sources, namely Transportation, Power, Industrial Activities and Waste Management.
She restated the present administration’s determination to rid the State of all forms of pollution while providing a clean, safe, healthy and friendly environment and curbing the tide of air pollution to improve the health of residents.
Odeneye listed some of the measures to include the introduction of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) System; Tree Planting and Greening of Open Spaces; Improvement in the Management of Dumpsites across the State; Construction of the Blue and Red line Light Rail Mass Transit; Embarking on Public Advocacy and Enlightenment Programmes; Installation of Air Quality Monitoring Equipment; Development of a Robust Climate Action Plan; Improvement in Facilities, Compliance, Monitoring and Review of Existing Laws and Policies, and Development of New Ones, among others.
In his presentation titled, “Air Quality and Air Pollution Medical Implications”, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, reiterated the positive impact and actualisation of the State’s health system goals in a friendly and uncontaminated environment, calling for the prevention of health issues, such as respiratory, cardiovascular, systemic inflammation and oncogenic potentials.
He warned against constant and long-time exposure to polluted air, stressing that social determinants of health like the environment, water and air quality, play important roles in managing the resources required to maintain the health system.
His words: “It is pertinent that we take care of our environment so that we can spend less on our healthcare system”.
“There is connectivity between man, animals, plants and their shared environment. We must, therefore, protect our environment and prevent disasters and ill health by avoiding constant and long-term exposure to polluted air”.
Also speaking, the General Manager, LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, disclosed that Lagos State, in accordance with the 1996 Paris agreement on the international treaty on climate change, has established six air quality monitoring stations at Alausa, Lagos Island, Akoka, Ikorodu, Abesan-Ipaja and Lekki to gather data on air pollution for the development of Lagos State Clean Air Action Plan 2021-2025 (LA-CAAP 2021-2025).
She said: “As a government, we are more determined to systematically tackle the environmental menace and combat global warming, climate change and secure the health of our people and the environment. To drive home our zero tolerance on air pollution, manufacturing companies, particularly within residential areas, must provide detailed environmental management policy, action and clean-up plans with a bias for staff safety and consideration for host communities.
The webinar also had in attendance renowned environmental experts such as Prof. Babajide Alo; Mr. Sean Melbourne; Mrs. Wunmi Ogunde; Dr. Fagbeja Mofolusho and Mr. Stanley Onugu, among others, who submitted that in order to protect the environment there must be an attitudinal change, self-regulation and all-inclusive policies backed by government determination and commitment.
