In order to improve air quality and curb hazardous air pollution from vehicles, the Ogun State Government on Friday flagged off the Vehicular Emission Control Scheme.
Speaking at the event, held at the Skating Ground, Post Office, Ibara, Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, stated that consultants from the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, OGEPA, would be conducting tests and issuing certificates.
“If your vehicle is seen emitting smoke, you will be asked for your Vehicle Emission Certificate. That certificate will indicate what is wrong with your vehicle, and you will be given advice on what to do,” he said.
In his address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on OGEPA, Farouk Akintunde, noted that the initiative was a step towards reducing the negative impact of vehicular emissions on the environment and public health.
The Special Adviser emphasised that the vehicular emission control scheme was not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative for protecting the health and well-being of citizens.
“The vehicular emission control scheme is a critical component of Ogun State’s efforts to tackle the challenges of air pollution. The scheme aims to reduce the emission of harmful pollutants from vehicles.
“We will organise training and capacity-building programmes for our enforcement officers to ensure effective monitoring and compliance,” he said.
In his remarks, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Bolanle Muritala, spoke extensively on the need for uniformity in the scheme’s operations across the state and urged the enforcement team to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
Muritala advised that the scheme should not be limited to vehicular emissions alone but should also cover the burning of tyres, wood, and bushes.
Contributing to the discussion, the Commandant of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Commander Seni Ogunyemi, appealed to all road users to collaborate with the state government in ensuring a cleaner, smoke-free environment.
Other participants at the flag-off ceremony included transportation unions, Vehicle Inspection Officers, So-Safe Corps, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Emission Control Scheme consultants.
Ogun govt flags off vehicular emission control scheme
