Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has emphasized the ministry’s commitment to improving air quality across Nigeria.
He made this known at the recent commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Abuja.
With the theme “Investment in Clean Air Now,” the event aimed to raise awareness of the global issue of air pollution and its serious impact on health, the environment, and economic productivity.
Dr. Salako highlighted the ministry’s active engagement with national and sub-national stakeholders to develop the National Policy on Air Quality Management.
The initiative includes plans to establish air quality monitoring stations nationwide to create a reliable database on air quality.
The Minister reiterated the urgent need to address air pollution, which is now recognized as the world’s largest environmental health risk.
He noted that 99% of the global population is exposed to polluted air, posing significant threats to human health and societal well-being.
He stated that through collaborative efforts with regulatory agencies and other government ministries, the Ministry of Environment is working on multifaceted policies and legislation aimed at enforcing minimum air quality standards.
The Minister also pointed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s strategic agenda, which includes expanding the use of alternative fuels and scaling up electric vehicle adoption.
Additionally, he highlighted the government’s push for mass transportation systems like railways, which not only reduce costs but also curb emissions from the transport sector.
Dr. Salako further mentioned ongoing work to switch to low-sulphur fuel in Nigeria, in line with international standards (AFRI IV), noting that implementation is set to begin soon.
On his part, Permanent Secretary Mahmud Adam Kambari, represented by Director of Human Resource Management Mrs Mariya Rufai, also stressed the need for heightened awareness, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, and children, who are most affected by air pollution.
Kambari emphasized that air pollution brings numerous health hazards and that sensitization campaigns are essential to educate people on the dangers posed by chemicals, soil, and water contamination, all of which contribute to poor air quality.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba, Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, called for collaborative efforts among agencies and departments under the Ministry of Environment.
He reminded attendees of the importance of clean air for human health and the environment, urging everyone to support initiatives that ensure safe, clean, and breathable air for future generations.
Meanwhile, the minister has urged manufacturers of cookstoves to align with the Federal Ministry of Environment’s priorities and President Tinubu’s agenda for a cleaner and healthier environment.
During his visit to Kano, Dr. Salako visited two cookstove manufacturing companies, Burn Stoves Nigeria Limited and Atmosfair, alongside Kano State Commissioner of Environment, Nasiru Garo.
At the companies’ facilities, Dr. Salako praised their innovation and commitment to sustainable development.
