By Fatima Saka
The Minister of Environment, Mohammed H. Abdullahi has vowed in all capacity to protect the Ozone Layer and climate.
He also made assurances to contribute immensely to global efforts in safeguarding the Earth and its habitants as the ministry empowered 700 large, small and medium scale enterprises into thermoelectrics environment friendly manners.
Abdullahi made this assertion on Friday in Abuja, as the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with UNDP, UNIDO, GIZ, World Bank and UNIEP commemorate the 2022 International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
The day was themed: “Montreal Protocol@35 Global Cooperation Protecting Life on Earth”.
The Minister was represented by Engr. Charles Ikea, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, National Ozone office of Environment.
The Minister, speaking on the theme, emphasised the wider impact on Climate Change and the need for global cooperation to further address the challenges of Ozone Layer Depletion and Climate Change.
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Abdullahi illustrated that Nigeria has signed the Protocol since 1988 as well ratified all its Amendments in London, Beijing, Copahengan and Montreal, in order to protect the climate.
Also, the Kigali Amendment which phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons that are gases with high Global Warming Potentials, used as cooling agents in the Refrigeration & Air conditioning sector were also signed.
He stated this has enabled the ministry to empower 700 Large, Small & Medium Scale enterprises in the Foam, Refrigeration and Air conditioning, Aerosols, Fire Protection and Solvent Sectors to convert to Ozone friendly substances and Technologies.
“This resulted in 100 percent phase out of over 4000 Metric Tonnes of Ozone Depleting Substances, with high Ozone Depletion Potentials namely, CFCS Holes Carbon Tetrachloride and Methyl Bromide in 2010. In addition, 26 Institutions (Polytechnics and Government Technical Colleges) were identified and equipped to serve as Training Centers on Good Refrigeration Practices.
“We have also trained the Trainers from the identified centers and developed Training Manuals on Good Refrigeration Practices, which have led to the training of more than 10,000 Refrigeration Technicians in the Refrigeration Servicing sector. We have also trained more than 850 chemical regulatory and enforcement officers on identification of Ozone Depleting Substances, in order to ensure their effective control and provided the relevant agencies with Ozone Depleting Substances refrigerants identifiers,” he added.
Also, in his welcome address, Hassan Musa Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, who was represented by Mallam Jonah Stanley Director of Planning Research and Statistics, urged Nigerians to work towards implementation of Kigali Amendment to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons and that the ministry will continue to sustain its achievements and utilize the opportunities provided by the Montreal protocol and Kigali amendment to promote the adoption of ozone as well as climate friendly energy, efficient technologies and contributing to the development of a sustainable economic for the country.
In his goodwill Massage, Mr. Mohammed Yahya, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said the earth’s ozone layer is really important to protect all of time and the need to continue plans and activities in reducing emissions from our day to day activities need to adhere to strategies to help the Ozone layer heal.
In addition, Mr. Jean BAKOLE, the Regional Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), said the Kigali Amendment further pushes countries to renew their commitment to climate action and that the goal is to achieve 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047.
