Motorised transport contributes to environmental pollution – Expert
A transport specialist, Mr Adeyemo Ayomide, said that motorised transport contributes greatly to environmental pollution in Nigeria.
Ayomide said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
Motorised transportation device means any device used as a mode of transportation that includes: electric assisted bicycles, motor assisted scooters, motorcycles, motor-driven cycle, and personal motorised mobility device.
He added that both the government and the people should be concerned about its menace in the country.
“Everyone should be concerned about motorised transport and its effects on the environment because it contributes greatly to environmental pollution and global warming.
“Motorised transport is very dangerous to us and our environment because every vehicle depends on petroleum products for fuel and this leads to the emission of toxic chemicals into the air.
“Carbon monoxide, for instance, is an odourless and poisonous gas which is highly released into the air from motorised transport,” he said.
He added that a good way to combat environmental pollution is to consider using biofuels.
“One way to combat environmental pollution is to consider using an environmental friendly biofuels.
“This will greatly reduce carbon monoxide emission from vehicles and this means a cleaner and safer environment.
“Brazil is a country benefiting from the use of ethanol as a biofuel,” he said.
He said the Federal Government should encourage the use of public transports and discourage travel by personal car to reduce pollution and keep a safe environment.
“If for every one bus, 18 cars are off the road, it is absolutely better for the environment as it will help to reduce noise pollution and the emission of carbon monoxide,” he said.
Ayomide stated that the government should encourage the use of non-motorised transport so as to keep a healthy environment.
“The government should also encourage the use of non-motorised transport like bicycles and walking.
“They can be achieved by building safe walkways for pedestrians and safe cycle lane networks.
“Non-motorised transport will improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, improve climate change and reduce traffic,” he said.
He appealed to the government and citizens to act now and keep a friendly environment for the future generation.
“Motorised transport is very dangerous to our environment. Everyone must act now to make our environment cleaner, safer and friendly for future generations,” he appealed.