By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced plans to ban all ozone-depleting substances in accordance with the Montreal Protocol agreement to which Nigeria is a signatory by January 1, 2023.
Mr Oladipo Supo, the Environment Unit of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said this at the stakeholders’ workshop for the Validation of the Draft National Cooling Plan, in Abuja.
These substances include refrigerators, air conditioners, generators, water dispensers, and photocopiers.
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer through the phasing out of the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for the layer ozone depletion.
Mr Supo said that Nigeria had delayed implementing the agreement because it had not been able to get alternatives for the ozone-friendly substances.
“We started with Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and now we will replace them with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which is where we are today.
“Under the Montreal Protocol Agreement, the idea is that some of these ozone-depleting substances are actually eliminated from use.
“Nigeria has committed itself because it is part of the signatory. We are looking at January 1, 2023, when some of these substances will not be allowed into the country anymore.
“In the refrigerating sector, we only have technicians. The people that actually use them are technicians on the street.
“You remember some time ago, some air conditioners blew up in Ogun.
“It was because of all these contaminated things and recycled ACs that are not supposed to be in circulation,” he said.
Mr Supo said that the Federal Ministry of Environment was trying to ensure that the alternatives were available before the year 2023 when the banning of the items would commence.
According to him, the country cannot ban something when the alternative is not yet available.
On his part, the Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, blamed some developing countries that use refrigerants with high ozone-depleting potential such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
According to him, emissions are projected to amount to approximately 8.97 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050 and contribute to global warming and climate change.
The minister, who was represented by Mr Charles Ikedea, the Director of Pollution Control of the ministry, said that the emissions were both direct and indirect.
“Direct emissions are refrigerants-related emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment during installation, maintenance, repair and servicing.
“Indirect emissions are energy consumption of appliances-related emissions due to huge electricity consumption of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment,” he said.
He, however, advised Nigerians to keep their environment clean and healthy, adding that such would promote the development of the country.
