30 Mar 2016

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Dr Obolokile Obakeng said there is a rising concern on the significant health threat posed by sulphur emissions.

He said this at the official opening of a two day lower sulphur emissions workshop on Tuesday which was organised by the Department of Energy and the United Nation Environment Program (UNEP).

He said vehicle emissions pose a serious threat to human health and well being, especially in urban and peri-urban areas where the human population is too concentrated. 

He added that there are significant social and economic benefits to be gained by curtailing the health impacts resulting from intense exposure to sulphur emissions.

Dr Obakeng noted that, as a country, Botswana has been making strides in introducing cleaner fuels and the government only plays a facilitative role in ensuring sufficient supply of liquid fuels into the country.

He said the direct procurement of fuels for sale is undertaken by multinational oil companies and some citizen oil companies. 

He however said the supply and availability of cleaner fuels is dependent on the readiness and willingness of oil companies adding that the government will therefore continue to play a facilitative role in ensuring availability of such fuels in the country.

UNEP’s programme officer, Ms Jane Akumu said the sulphur emissions are a health and environment hazard adding that sulphur, which is naturally found in crude oil when highly concentrated in diesel results in high tailpipe Particulate Matter and Sulphur Dioxide(SO2) emissions.

“This condition causes diseases such as asthma, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases,” Ms Akumu continued to say.

She said according to World Health Organisation, 2011 research, tailpipe particulate matter emissions affects people more than any other pollutant in the world contributing to atleast 3.7 million premature deaths annually. 

She said by implementing on low sulphur fuels in Botswana the country will improve the air quality and protect the environment. 

Low sulphur fuels reduce vehicle emissions.

A representative from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr Kingsley Lesole said there is congestion of motor vehicles in cities saying efforts to curb air pollution by motor vehicles should be maintained.

He said that encouraging stakeholders to maintain their vehicles will reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as Cancer, Asthma and others, fuel consumption, medical costs and add value to their vehicles hence enhancing cleaner environment.

Adding to the presentation on traffic emissions monitoring in Botswana, Mr Moabi Mmolawa of Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control said that there is need for environmental information database and stakeholders must collaborate to work together to fight the problem. ENDS