By Emmanuel Udodinma
The Federal Government has assured that it is committed to phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) to mitigate the impact of climate change and enhance the development of local manufacturing industries.
Minister of the Environment Dr. Mohammad Abubakar said at the inauguration of the System House of Vitapur Nigeria Limited, which was established for the production of methylformate-based pre-blended polyols in the rigid polyurethane foam sector.
He listed the benefits of waste recycling, which the firm was promoting through the project to include: reduction of pollution, checking environmental degradation and preservation of the environment.
He said with the completion of the project, Vitapur would phase out the use of Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b in their operations by January in the manufacturing of rigid polyurethane foam.
“Vitapur is also expected to supply methyl formate systems to downstream end users. These will lead to the phasing out of 425.4 metric tons of HCFC-141b in the foam sector,” Abubakar said.
He quoted a 2013 report in the journal of climate change, which stated that “these and other effects of global warming, if left unchecked, may contribute to the disappearance of one-half of the earth’s plant and one-third of animals by 20803’’.
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He expressed satisfaction with the completion of the project last year, which involved retrofits and replacement of equipment, training, establishment of laboratory and quality control facilities and trials.
“This is at a time that we are preparing for the commencement of the implementation of Stage II of the HPMP Project as well as the Kigali Amendment on phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are greenhouse gases with high global warming potential used essentially as cooling agents in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. Thus, the inauguration of this project is a laudable achievement for us in our plan to phase out ozone depleting substances and in the mitigation of climate change,” Abubakar said.
He paraised of agencies such as UNDP and UNIDO on the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase Out Management Plan (HPMP) project for shrinking the volume of wastes for recycling.
“It is on this note that I commission the System House today. I will also be presenting the protocol for the project of Vitapur Limited, which is jointly signed by my humble self on behalf of the government and UNDP,” Abubakar said.
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