NAPEIIN, Green Globe others task Lagos on carbon emission control

As the world commemorates 2015 World Environment Day (WED) recently, some concerned organisations have urged the Lagos State government to pay attention to carbon emission control in the metropolis.

The Non Government Organisations — Nature Protection and Environmental Improvement Initiative (NAPEIIN) and Green Global Initiative — said the measure was most important to complement efforts at protecting the environment.

NAPEIIN President, Sola Adekoya, said the state government had done a lot to promote green environment but for perennial air pollution that had continued to constitute nuisance to the Lagos well being.

Adekoya, at an event to commemorate the day with school children in Lagos, said it was disturbing to see vehicles freely emitting carbon into the environment despite their higher risk to human survival.

According to him, “Fact is that our people still contribute very significantly to environmental problems. One of such is that our vehicles emit lots of smoke and that is really for this administration to look into. We have emission charges, and some people that are supposed to be in charge of emission control. What have been doing?

“Today, almost all our trucks are culpable of this and almost 98 per cent of our vehicles poses serious risk to the environment by generating carbon monoxide. We really want the government to look into this regulation,” Adekoya said.

Adekoya, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Shodex Beautification Landmark Limited, added that the need for holistic environmental control efforts cannot be overemphasized, both in terms of effective regulation and awareness creation.

He stressed that it was in the interest of everyone to keep promoting and cultivating the habit of tree, grass and flower planting in the environment, as well as control air pollution.

While he commended the Babatunde Fashola-led administration for giant strides in environmental friendly activities, he urged Fashola’s successor (Akinwunmi Ambode) to build on the legacy.
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dekoya advocated for aggressive campaign for attitudinal change against activities that abuse the environment.

“Environment determines the lifespan of the citizenry. Such activities like burning of trees, gas flaring and pollution among others should be addressed because we are more liable to die young with them.

“Also of critical need today, is the importance of catching them young for healthier environment. We need to take this awareness to schools and infuse environmental issues in school curriculum to teach our wards from the very early stages of life on the dos and don’ts to our environment,” he said.