Experts Canvass Reliable Alternative Energy Sources
To mitigate climate change, experts have reiterated the need to encourage use of alternative energy sources like solar, hydropower, wind and biomass, which are clean, reliable and accessible.
The experts noted that these alternative sources, would aid reduction in carbon emission, achieve good air quality and lead to lower cost when compared with the cost of fossil-based generators.
They emphasised on the prevention and reduction of air pollution to improve air quality, high cost of air pollution in the society and its negative impacts on the economy, work productivity, healthcare costs and tourism.
The experts spoke at the Clean Air Day webinar held at Dangote Cement Company office in Lagos.
The forum attracted the Occupational Health Safety & Environment Department of Dangote Cement led by Satya Prakash, an energy firm; Messrs Arnergy, National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
The day was marked at plants in Ibese, Ogun State, Gboko, Benue State, Obajana, Kogi State and Okpella in Edo State. The Dangote Cement operations also cover Zambia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Cameroon and South Africa.
Leading the talk, Chief Commercial Officer, Arnergy, Omobola Omofaiye, who analysed the air quality index, explain that air quality connotes how clean and suitable the air is for humans and the environment as good air quality indicates the air is free from pollution, while the Air Quality Index is a public measure of the dangers of air pollution.
She said the Nigeria eco-system is impacted negatively by heavy reliance on fossil fuel for power generation.According to her, the African Development Bank has estimated that Nigerians spend $14 billion on fueling petrol or diesel-powered generators and over 40 per cent of Nigerian households own fuel generators and bear the associated costs.
NESREA Assistant Director & Head Environmental Quality Management, Mr. Usman Musa, lauded Dangote Cement for the initiative, which supports the regulation of air quality in Nigeria as cement production processes worldwide contain primary air pollutant sources.