By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Environmental Health Council of Nigeria( EHCON) has officially launched a green house gas emissions technology initiative that will reduce oxygen by 70%.
The initiative is an oxygen-based fuel additive technology that can reduce carbon emissions from generators and vehicles in Nigeria by 70% under the national air quality programme of the federal ministry of environment in order to reduce air pollution and protecting public health.
Speaking at the unveiling yesterday in Abuja, the Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr Yakubu Baba, described the initiative as a decisive step in Nigeria’s journey towards a cleaner air, healthier communities, and a sustainable future.
“This initiative represents Renewed Hope translated into environmental action”.
Baba reiterated that the bold step is historical stressing that across our nation, environmental health surveillance continues to reveal a troubling rise in diseases linked to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
He stated that diseases linked to air pollution and greenhouse emissions includes
respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and other pollution-related conditions which imposed heavy burdens on families.
Others are cancer, adverse pregnancy outcomes,health systems, and national productivity.
He said EHCON, as the statutory regulator of environmental health practice in Nigeria
has the responsibility not only to enforce standards but also to drive preventive interventions that will protect public health at scale. He said that the Oxetyne Fuel Additive initiative is one of such Innovation interventions.
He maintained that this is not just a technological improvement; it is a public health intervention.
This will reduce emissions from vehicles, generators, and industrial fuel usage and also reduce the pollutants that Nigerians inhale daily.
“It means that Nigeria will have a cleaner urban air, reduced disease burden,
lower healthcare costs,improved environmental sustainability and
greater fuel efficiency and economic savings”, he stated .
During the practical section s of the launched, the Registrar disclosed that the innovation, known as Oxytane, has been tested on high-capacity generators, including one at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation that is 1500 KVA generator while using oxytane fuel application 200ml dosage with results showing a 70% reduction in carbon emissions after application.
“This is not just an environmental programme; it is a public health intervention”.
Baba explained that the oxygen fuel additive is designed to improve combustion efficiency in petrol and diesel-powered engines by enhancing engine performance, stating that it not only reduces smoke and particulate emissions but also improves fuel efficiency by up to 30 per cent.
“Clean air is a fundamental right of every Nigerian”, he added.
He explained that this programme strongly support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which emphasizes,environmental sustainability, economic productivity, Public sector efficiency among others.
Baba mentioned that the National Air Quality Programme also contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly(SDG 3 ,11,12 and 13.
He said that Environmental Health Officers have been deployed across Abuja in 30 teams covering 16 thematic sectors, including industries, construction firms, hospitals, hotels, training institutions and mining sites.
“Facilities will undergo carbon emission assessments based on generator capacity and usage.
While the government intends to prioritise advocacy, Baba warned that non-compliance could attract sanctions under existing environmental health regulations.
While calling on transport operators,
energy sector players,industrial establishments, state governments,
local government authorities and
environmental health practitioners
to embrace this initiative as a shared national responsibility.
“Protecting air quality is protecting life itself”.
Meanwhile, Oxytane Staff, Emmunael Pathfinder said the green house gas emissions technology initiative is apt.
“This will reduce engine carbon emissions by 70%, protect the engine life, eliminate wet stacking , reduce fuel expenses by 25% and reduce Co2-Nox emissions “.
Pathfinder said now Nigeria will have a cleaner and healthier environment to live .
The launched is a a new direction where environmental regulation prevents disease.
A direction where innovation supports sustainability.
A direction where public health protection begins with the air we breathe.
“Together, we shall build a Nigeria where the air is cleaner, the people are healthier, and the future is brighter”.
