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EPA to develop vehicular emission
standards
Ho, Nov. 26, Ghanadot/GNA - The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is to develop standards to reduce vehicular
emissions with its health problems in the country.
The initiative also aims at promoting the use of more
environmentally benign fuel Mr Jonathan Allotey Executive
Director of EPA announced these at a day's dissemination
workshop for stakeholders in Ho.
It was organized by the EPA and sponsored by the Danish
International Development Agency (DANIDA) as a sub-component
of the DANIDA Transport Sector Programme Support (TSPS)
Phase II.
Mr Allotey noted that the transport sector remained the
major contributor to atmospheric emissions in the country.
He said total emission levels in the country increased
linearly from 32,222.78 in 2000 to 52,666.17 in 2005, an
estimated rise of 16.67 per cent per annum depending on the
commensurate increase in fleet numbers and fuel consumption.
Mr Allotey indicated that vehicular emissions were likely to
double in the next 10 years and underscored the need for the
introduction of emission control mechanisms.
He expressed the hope that the country would in the future
eliminate completely the use of metallic additives and also
reduce the level of sulphur in fuel to promote the use of
compressed natural gas for public transport.
Mr Joseph Kwaku Nayan, Deputy Volta Regional Minister noted
that vehicular emission had adverse effects on the
respiratory system, coughing, reduces lung capacity,
pneumonia, influenza and asthma apart from its effects on
the environment.
He said it was important for the country to establish an
Ambient Air Quality Control and Monitoring, establishment
and notification of vehicular emission norms and phase out
grossly polluting vehicles among others to reduce the
problem.
He urged individuals to adopt practices like regular
vehicular maintenance and "moderate driving" to avoid high
fuel consumption.
" People should learn to avoid high-speed driving, avoid
frequent stopping and starting of vehicles and walk short
distances to reduce fuel use", the Minster advised.
Launching the " Vehicular Emissions Report", Alhaji Ahmed
Yirimea, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Rural
Development and Environment underscored the need to further
promote the use of public transport system and alternative
fuels and activities that sought to promote modal shift and
development and enforcement of vehicular emissions and
performance standards.
An executive summary of the Report circulated at the
workshop stated that the " major sources of noise pollution
in Ghana originate from various activities including
transport- road, rail and air and commercial activities such
as operation of restaurants, drinking bars, music recording
shops, funerals, child naming ceremonies and industrial
activities".
GNA
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