UNFrom Our Correspondent
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Ishaq Salako, on Saturday in Abuja, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to phasing out ozone layer-depleting substances.
Speaking at the 2023 World Ozone Day Celebration, the minister expressed worries about level of ozone layer depletion in Nigeria.
TheNewsZenith reports that UN celebrates World Ozone Day on Sept. 1 annually.
The theme of this year’s event is “Montreal Protocol: fixing the Ozone Layer and Reducing Climate Change”.
Mr Charles Ikeah, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department in the Ministry, representing the minister, said the Federal Government was committed to phasing out ozone layer-depleting substances.
He noted that the ministry had collaborated with stakeholders to mitigate ozone-depleting substances.
Salako gave assurance that the ministry would soon train technicians on how to handle ozone reduction equipment in an attempt to totally phase out ozone layer depletion equipment.
He pledged the ministry’s commitment to the Montreal Protocol to ensure a sustainable environment in the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusufu, quoted a scientific study indicating that human activities using some depleting chemicals had resulted in depletion of the ozone layer.
Yusufu, represented by Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, director in the ministry, noted that public awareness to safeguard ozone layer is pertinent.
“All importers of ozone-depleting chemicals should desist from such importation. Technicians and engineers should avoid using ozone-depleting substances in their operations and seek alternatives,” he appealed.
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The permanent secretary urged members of the public to patronise all ozone-friendly substances and support the government’s fight against ozone layer depletion.
The National Ozone Officer in the ministry, Mr Idris Abdullahi, said the ozone was an important layer. “It must not be depleted because of dangers associated with depletion,” he said.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Coordinator, Nigeria Association of Refrigerators and Air-conditioning Practitioners, said the association had collaborated with stakeholders to reduce ozone layer depletion.
“We are sensitising manufacturers of refrigerants to manufacture ozone-friendly refrigerants.
“We would like to appeal for a Refrigeration and Air-conditioner village. Here, all our members can have good practice of their craft in refrigeration and air-conditioning,” he said.
Mr Oluyomi Banjo, a representative of the United Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), described ozone layer as a protective blanket in the stratosphere. He said it protects us from harmful radiations, particularly the ultraviolet (UV) rays.
“However, man’s quest for industrialisation has seen the development and production of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.
“It is expected that stratospheric ozone layer would be restored by 2065. This will help to avoid 443 million cases of skin cancer, approximately 2.3 million skin cancer deaths.
“I reaffirm UNIDO’s commitment towards supporting the Nigerian government to promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation Development without compromising the environment,” he assured.
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