Vehicles To Be Tested Twice A Year

A bill that seeks to make it mandatory for all vehicles to be tested twice a year is under consideration, the Ministry of Environment and Science announced on Tuesday.

Professor Dominic Fobih, out-going Minister for Environment and Science, said his Ministry, together with the Ministries of Roads and Transport and Health were considering the introduction of the bill because of the adverse effects of vehicular emission on the health of the people and the environment. "Voluntary testing on a pilot scale is expected to begin before the end of the year," he added.

The Minister made this known when he met the press on Tuesday to address them on issues concerning the Ministry. Prof Fobih said the Ministry had also set up monitoring stations to measure air quality in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Tarkwa to check the characteristics of air in those cities.

He said GAEC in collaboration with TOR trained 22 environmental officers from various organizations in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire in Air Quality Management and Planning.

Prof Fobih said the Ministry continued to monitor noise nuisance in the cities of Accra and Tema, radio discussions on noise and its effects were carried out and educational materials were developed and distributed to schools and churches.

He said the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste has of late assumed alarming proportion and their harmful effects on the environment have been a great concern to all.

He said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local government and Rural Development had met with producers to discuss the menace of waste generated by plastic bags.

The Minister said there are plans to reconstitute a plastic waste management committee to consider importation and use of biodegradable materials, recycling of plastic wastes and formulate a bill to regulate the disposal of plastic wastes.