The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has assured his commitment on environmental sustainability and free flow of vehicular movement of goods and services across the country.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari disclosed this recently in Abuja while inaugurating the Committee on the Clearing of Accidental, Burnt, and Abandoned (ABA) Vehicles from the Highways nàtiowide.
Balarabe stressed that the inauguration of the committee marks a pivotal step in the collective resolve to address one of the lingering environmental, safety and public health challenges that has persisted for too long on the nation’s highways due to accidents, fire or neglect.
He noted that the Steering Committee whose mandate is critical to the success of this initiative was drawn from relevant security agencies, MDAs and Transport Unions.
Also, the Committee was tasked to adhere to the terms of reference in providing strategic direction and coordination on the nationwide effort to clear ABA vehicles from our highways to ensure safer, cleaner, more resilient cities and free flow of transport corridors.
He further urged the committee members to approach the task with dedication, professionalism and a shared sense of purpose with the full support of the Ministry and indeed the Federal Government in executing the task ahead.
The Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, in her opening remark stated that the successful implementation of the initiative will not only improve environmental aesthetics and safety but will also contribute to climate and disaster risk reduction objectives.
The director (PC&EH) called on the committee to consider the option of recycling some of the ABA vehicles for circular economy for revenue generation and job creation in line with the *Renewed Hope Agenda* of the present administration.
In separate goodwill messages committee members pledged to deploy their wealth of experience to ensure clearing of ABA vehicles on the highways that hinder free flow of transportation system and environmental sustainability.