In a bid to curb the harmful effects of vehicle emissions on public health and the environment, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has finalized plans to commence a statewide vehicle emission control program.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on OGEPA, Farouk Akintunde, disclosed this on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting with the transportation sector at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. According to him, the emission testing initiative will officially take off on March 1, 2025.
He stated that designated testing centers would be established across the state to conduct emission tests on all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorbikes, buses, and tricycles.
“This meeting is to inform you and seek your cooperation to ensure the success of the scheme, as all necessary arrangements have been put in place for its commencement,” Akintunde said.
The initiative received strong backing from the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), whose Commandant, Commander Seni Ogunyemi, urged transportation unions to support the project, emphasizing its benefits for public welfare.
Similarly, the Ogun State Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) Commander, Ademehin Olugboyega, stated that vehicles failing the emission test would be referred to the VIO for further evaluation.
Speaking on behalf of transportation unions, the Secretary of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Tiwalade Akingbade, pledged full support for the scheme. However, he appealed to the government to assist transport operators in transitioning to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-enabled vehicles as a cleaner alternative.
With this initiative, Ogun State takes a proactive step toward environmental sustainability and cleaner air, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and protect public health.
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