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4 of the worst cities in the world for air pollution are in Nigeria, LASEPA orders firm to stop production over emissions

The Lagos State Government recently directed an asphalt producing company in Ijora Olopa area of the State to cease production over the emission released from the firm’s plant into the community and the resultant pollution which has resulted to a number of sicknesses for residents in the community.

An abatement notice was served on the company, Righteous Construction Company Nigeria Limited, according to a report from the State Ministry of Environment and police backup was sought to seal the firm on April 4.

Residents of the area, especially children, had complained about sicknesses resulting from the fumes emitted from the plant of the company and inhaled by the residents of Jericho Police Barracks and Oto, where the firm was located. They also lamented that particles from the emissions escaped into their apartments, contaminated their water, food, and clothes spread on lines.

The Commissioner for the environment ministry, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Eti, said he had ordered the stoppage of operations in the firm. He explained that the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency would take up the matter to ascertain the level of risks that the company’s activities posed to residents.

“Our enforcement team has gone to the company. The Ministry of Health was also there on Monday. Definitely, we are going to seal up the company. We have served an abatement notice and informed the Divisional Police Officer in the area. The company will be sealed up tomorrow morning (today). It will thereafter be summoned by LASEPA.”

The Air Pollution problem

The World Health Organisation has pointed out severally that the irregular geographical positioning of production plants, use of expired automobiles and unchecked disposal of toxic gas are some of the causes of air pollution in the world and, without proper regulatory bodies in place, African countries were at risk of being choked by the heavy cloud.

According to data released by the WHO in 2016, four of the worst cities in the world for air pollution are in Nigeria.

Onitsha has the undignified honour of being labeled the world’s most polluted city for air quality when measuring small particulate matter concentration (PM10). A booming port city in southern Nigeria, Onitsha recorded 30 times more than the WHO’s recommended levels of PM10.

The other three cities named and shamed in the WHO report for high PM10 levels are the transport hub of Kaduna, in the north, which came fifth, followed by the cities of Aba – in sixth place – and Umuahia, in 16th position, which are both trade centres in southern Nigeria.

In 2015, the World Bank reported that 94% of the population in Nigeria is exposed to air pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines (compared to 72% on average in Sub-Saharan Africa in general) and air pollution damage costs about 1% post of Gross National Income.

The WHO study tracked the growth in the two different sizes of particulate matter, PM10, and PM2.5, per cubic meter of air.

PM2.5 particles are fine, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres (µm) to more than 40 micrometres, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

PM10 particles are less than or equal to 10 micrometres in diameter. Nigeria did not feature in the top 10 for PM2.5 levels.

According to the WHO, over 3 million people die prematurely every year due to high levels of air pollution, and despite improvements in air quality in some cities, global air pollution levels have increased by 8 percent since 2013.

Proffering Solutions

One of the most reiterated solutions to the issue of air pollution is for government and policy makers to regulate the rate of emissions from industries and from automobiles.

The report notes that reducing the level of air pollution requires action by urban and national governments. The WHO calls on policymakers to reduce industrial smokestack emissions, promote the use of renewable power sources, and prioritize rapid transit, walking, and cycling networks in cities most affected by air pollution.

“It is crucial for city and national governments to make urban air quality a health and development priority,” says WHO Dr Carlos Dora.

“When air quality improves, health costs from air pollution-related diseases shrink, worker productivity expands and life expectancy grows. Reducing air pollution also brings an added climate bonus, which can become a part of countries’ commitments to the climate treaty.”

The activities of LASEPA in Lagos State are laudable in this respect and encouraged in other states within the federation.

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