PROPERTY NEWS

A number of reasons have been attributed to why Nigeria was able to achieve the phase-out (or zero consumption) of ozone depleting substances (ODS) several years ahead of the official deadline.

According to Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Bashar Sambo, government not only adopted the bottom-top approach, but also worked closely with its partners and stakeholders in the implementation of the project.

The five-year solvent phase-out scheme commenced in 2004, but ministry officials disclosed last week in Lagos during a National Solvent Technical Workshop on Alternative Ozone-friendly technologies and Substances that it took the nation only two years to execute the project.

"I am glad to inform you that this challenge has not only been met, but has been surpassed as the country has been recording zero consumption since 2006 well ahead of the pahse-out deadline and with many enterprises converting to non-ODS operations," declared Sambo, who was represented at the event by Olori Funke Babade, the Federal Controller of Environment in the ministry’s Lagos Zonal Office.

According to him, technical/awareness workshops, training of industry and ministry personnel, study tours to international solvent exhibitions/trade shows, launching and provision of parts cleaning machines as well as regular monitoring of activities informed the feat.

Besides the zero consumption since 2006, he listed other achievements in this regard to include phase-out by 22 parts cleaning enterprises with the provision of 16 units of ultrasonic cleaning machines and six units of hydrocarbon cleaning machines to relevant enterprises; phase-out in the solvent formulation sector; conversion to non-ODS by dry cleaning shops; retrofitting of SEDI degreasing workshop; as well as capacity building and increased awareness on solvent issues.

He said, "Despite all these achievements, we must not rest on our oars. There are still outstanding activities which must be carried out before we can truly claim that the project has been successfully concluded as scheduled.

"These include the analysis and compounding of ultrasonic cleaning solutions to ensure local availability and regular supply to needy enterprises, modification of formulator equipment compatible with the new formulations and training on hydrocarbon cleaning equipment."

Sambo went on, "We must go beyond just phasing out ODS. It is important to avoid a situation where the enterprises will be out of business as a result of the conversion to non-ODS, rather this should enhance their operations. The provision of modern equipment should make them more competitive.

"We will continue to work closely with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that the gains of not only the solvent project but the entire ODS phase-out programme are sustained. Various options, including multilateral and bilateral arrangements and also normal government budgetary provisions would be explored in providing further assistance to enterprises and in ensuring sustainability of their operations."

National Ozone Officer, Mr. Kasimu Bayero, said that the forum was informed by the need to appraise the status of the phase-out project with a view to defining strategies for its (the project’s) sustainability.

He added that an Ozone Village " which might eventually transform into some sort of a technological development and training centre " was being established somewhere near Ikenne in Ogun State.

He said the village, operating as a centre for environment-friendly technology, would be built in phases and cost billions of Naira.

"Ozone-friendly and fabricated local technology will be developed at the village, such as hydrocarbon production prototype, CFC recovery and recycling machine and the box foaming machine," he said.

Because they deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that shields the earth from the harmful effects of the sun’s radiation, man made chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and methyl chloroform (TCA) " which are used as refrigerants as well as in foam production, aerosols, and processing agents " are being phased-out under international agreements like the Vienna Convention (effective September 22, 1988) and Montreal Protocol (January 1, 1989). The latter was amended in London (UK) in 1990, Copenhagen (Denmark) in 1992, Montreal (Canada) in 1997 and Beijing (China) in 1999.

Nigeria acceded to the protocol in October 1988 and later ratified the various amendments. As an Article 5 Party under the protocol, Nigeria is entitled to financial and technical assistance from the protocol’s Multilateral Fund and has thus to date received assistance to phase out ODS use in over 200 companies in various industrial sectors.