The Nigerian Institute of Environmental Engineers (NIEE) has said it will continue to partner relevant government agencies to address noise pollution and its attendant risks on the public.
The National Chairman of the Institute, Monsuru Yinusa, spoke at a news conference to mark the World Environment Day, themed: “Air Pollution: Utilisation of Green Technology to improve Air Quality in Communities”.
The chairman said the institute was particularly interested in prevailing on the government to enforce all environmental related laws to the letter, saying there were several existing environmental legislation that is not being enforced.
He said: “A technical committee will, therefore, be set up to present technical measures and professional view of all appropriate bodies for immediate action. We should know that protecting our environment and improving its natural value is the fundamental duty of all of us, and as such, we should strive to leave the environment better than we met it.”
Yinusa noted that air pollution had been called a major global health epidemic, causing one in nine of all deaths.
He added: “Seven million people die each year from exposure to polluted air, both indoor and outdoor, the three biggest killers attribute to air pollution are – stroke, heart disease, lung disease and cancer.”
The chairman opined that the Lagos State government might consider the reintroduction of officials of the Vehicle Inspection Service back on the roads to check rickety vehicles that could be constituting environmental nuisance, and also encourage pool-ride to reduce the number of vehicles on roads.
The institute’s Vice Chairman, Olalekan Ajani, called for the sustenance of tree planting in Lagos, and urged other states to emulate Lagos to salvage the environment from further degradation.
Ajani added that tree planting must not be left to the government alone, but must be embraced by corporate organisations and individuals marking milestone anniversaries and social engagements. The Nation