19 June 2009
The Federal Ministry of Environment has started a sensitisation programme for secondary schools in Abuja on the dangers posed by Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). 20 secondary schools in Abuja on Wednesday took part in the maiden edition of the programme.
Speaking with NAN in Abuja on the programme, Mr Abdulkazim Bayero, an Assistant Director in the ministry, said students were among the groups targeted for the dissemination of information on the harmful effects of the substances.
Bayero said: "We are targeting the 36 states in the federation and the FCT and we are starting with FCT secondary schools.
"We have Ministries of Environment in all the 36 states that will help to educate secondary school students at the state level."
The assistant director said the UNDP and UNEP were supporting the programme through the provision of information materials for distribution to students.
Bayero said Ozone depleting substances (ODS) were those substances which depleted the ozone layer.
He explained ODS were widely used in refrigerators, air-conditioners, fire extinguishers and in dry cleaning as solvents for cleaning, electronic equipment as well as agricultural fumigants.
"They consisted of gases known as Greenhouse gases or Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and are known to cause skin cancer, eye cataracts and low agricultural produce," Bayero said.
He stressed the need for the global community to imbibe the use of Ozone friendly substances in the manufacture of household equipment..
Commenting on the programme, Aigbokphai Eguakhide, a student of Grace Garden International School, Maitama, lauded the ministry for organising the programme.
"I have learnt a lot from this programme and I can now educate people on the effects of ozone depleting substances.
"I can now buy perfume that is ozone friendly and advise people to use ozone friendly refrigerators, air conditioners, perfumes or spray and fire extinguishers," he said. NAN
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