Dr. Ishaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment in Nigeria, has expressed growing concerns about the depletion of the ozone layer in the country. He voiced these concerns during the 2023 World Ozone Day Celebration, an annual event observed on September 1st.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Montreal Protocol: Fixing the Ozone Layer and Reducing Climate Change.” Minister Salako, represented by Mr. Charles Ikeah, Director of the Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department in the Ministry, affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to phasing out substances that contribute to ozone layer depletion.
The minister highlighted ongoing collaboration between the ministry and stakeholders to mitigate the use of ozone-depleting substances. He also announced plans to train technicians in handling equipment related to ozone reduction, with the ultimate goal of completely eliminating practices that harm the ozone layer.
Salako reiterated the ministry’s dedication to the Montreal Protocol and its mission to ensure a sustainable environment in Nigeria. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusufu, emphasized that scientific studies have shown a link between human activities involving certain chemicals and ozone layer depletion. He stressed the importance of public awareness in safeguarding the ozone layer for the overall health of the population.
“All importers of ozone depleting chemicals should desist from the importation of such, all technicians and engineers should avoid the use of ozone depleting substances in their operations and sought alternatives,” he appealed.
The permanent secretary urged members of the public to patronize all ozone-friendly substances and support the government’s fight against ozone layer depletion.
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The National Ozone Officer in the ministry, Mr Idris Abdullahi, said that the ozone layer was an important layer that must not be depleted because of the dangers associated with the depletion.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Coordinator, the Nigeria Association of Refrigerators and Air -conditioning Practitioners, said the association had been collaborating with stakeholders to reduce ozone layer depletion.
“We are sensitizing manufacturers of refrigerants to manufacture ozone-friendly refrigerants.
“We will like to appeal for Refrigeration and Air-conditioner village, where all our members can have a good practice of their craft in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning,” he said.
Mr Oluyomi Banjo, a representative of the United Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), said that the ozone layer was a protective blanket in the stratosphere that protects us from harmful radiations, particularly the ultraviolet (UV) rays.
“However, man’s quest for industrialization has seen the development and production of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.
“It is expected to restore the stratospheric ozone layer by 2065, avoiding 443 million cases of skin cancer, and approximately 2.3 million skin cancer deaths.
“I reaffirm UNIDO’s commitment towards supporting the Nigerian government to promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation Development without compromising the environment,” he assured.
