16th September, 2022
By Vivian Emoni.
The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Cooling Action Plan (N-CAP) to promote sustainable and affordable access to cooling systems.
Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, the Minister of Environment while unveiling the N-CAP at the commemoration of World Ozone Day (WOD) in Abuja, said the objective of N-CAP was to deliver the global environment agenda.
The minister was represented by Mr Charles Ikea, Director, Pollution and Environmental Health of the ministry.
Abdullahi said that the WOD is an annual event that commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol (MP) on substances that deplete the ozone layer in 1987.
He said the Montreal Protocol has continued to provide a platform for more than 198 countries to work together to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) so as to protect the ozone layer.
According to Abdullahi, the protocol was the most successful environmental agreement to date, with universal ratification.
The minister said that the theme for the 2022 WOD is “Montreal Protocol at 35: Global Cooperation Protecting Life on Earth”.
Abdullahi said that the theme highlighted the protocol’s positive impact on the ozone layer.
He explained that Nigeria signed the Protocol in 1988 and subsequently ratified all its related amendments to further protect the climate.
Abdullahi said the ministry, with United Nations Development (UNDP) and United Nations Industrialisation Development Organisation (UNIDO), had been implementing the MPs/ODS phase–out programme in Nigeria.
“The Plan includes the strategies to be adopted, activities or actions to ensure the success of these strategies, the responsible parties, and a timeline.
“A major strategy of the N-CAP that will support the transformation of the market of inefficient cooling appliances to more efficient ones is the rebate scheme.”
“This is where a large number of energy-efficient cooling appliances need to be procured and exchanged with obsolete and inefficient ones at a subsidised price,’’ Abdullahi said.
The minister said that the scheme would require adequate funding, urging financial institutions to co-operate and support the ministry.
He said the cooperation of banks would also be needed in the procurement of efficient air conditioners that meet the level of the air conditioning requirements of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
“This is recommended in the N-CAP or even higher. These efficient air conditioners can be installed in the banks ATM rooms and other spaces within the banking hall, “Abdullahi said.
He called on other development partners to support the government in the implementation of the N-CAP by providing additional funding for the rebate scheme.
“In the hospitality sector, we also seek the cooperation of hotels to procure efficient cooling appliances within the level of the MEPS recommended in the N-CAP.”
“As for the agricultural sector, the N-CAP will play a key role in the efficient preservation of food, thereby preventing food losses/spoilage through a sustainable and efficient cold chain infrastructure.
“In this, food will be transported from the farms to retail outlets at a favourable temperature that will prevent food spoilage.”
“This will hopefully reduce contact between farmers and herders and prevent their incessant clashes,’’ Abdullahi said.
NAN