Abuja –  The proposed vehicle emission standard  for the country will become operational by 2012, Mr Ahmed Alfa, the Deputy Director, Pollution Control Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, has disclosed.

Alfa said in Abuja that the necessary machinery was being put in place to make the project a reality and reduce the level of vehicular emission.

Alfa said that the ministry had set a similar standard for industries.

He said that officials of the ministry would carry out on-the-spot assessment of emission levels of various industries to ensure the reduction of industrial emission and its attendant health hazards to the public.

“As far as the industries were concerned, we were able to do a reasonable work by way of getting guidelines and standard for them to operate within the laid down environmental laws.”

Alfa urged operators of industries to adhere strictly to the laid down emission standard, warning that anyone who flouted the guidelines and standard would be sanctioned.

According to him, most industries, especially those in cement production, emit  harmful gases which pose danger to public health just as the burning of refuse and generating plants. (NAN)