Workshop / Exhibition on Low Sulphur Diesel
and Vehicular Emissions
Clos St Louis, Domaines les Pailles
Speech of Hon. Deva Virahsawmy
Minister of Environment & Sustainable
Development
Monday 22 November 2010
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Mr. Sateeaved Seebaluck,
Supervising Officer, Ministry of
Environment & Sustainable
Development
Mrs Ng,
Director of Environment
Mrs Jane Akumu,
Programme Officer from UNEP-PCFV
Mr. Stuart Rayner,
from the National Association of
Automobile Manufacturers of South
Africa
Representatives of the public and private sector, and academia,
Members of the Press,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good Morning
It is a pleasure for me to be in your midst today on the occasion of this twoday workshop-cum-exhibition on low sulphur diesel and vehicular
emissions, organized by my Ministry with the support of the United Nations
Environment Programme Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (UNEPPCFV).
It is also a pleasure to have among us Mrs Jane Akumu,
Programme Officer from UNEP-PCFV and Mr. Stuart Rayner from the
National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa as
Resource Persons and who will be sharing with us their experience.
This workshop cum exhibition is being organized at a very opportune
moment as we are expecting the complete dilution of the previous stock of
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2500-ppm (parts per million) sulphur diesel to the new 500-ppm diesel
grade in our petrol pump stations within a couple of weeks.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are seriously concerned with vehicle exhaust emission as it a major
source of air pollution in Mauritius, especially black smoke emissions from
diesel-driven vehicles. This problem is being further aggravated with the
rapid increase in the number of diesel-driven vehicles over the last decade,
from some 73,000 in year 2000 to 118,000 in 2010.
Recognising the fact that fuel quality is one of the factors affecting vehicle
emissions, Government decided, in March 2009, to introduce diesel with a
sulphur content not exceeding 500 ppm for the automotive sector within the
least possible delay. In spite of several constraints being faced such as
limited storage capacity and on-going stringent import contract , we have
been able to receive the first consignment of the 500-ppm sulphur diesel in
August 2010.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The introduction of 500-ppm sulphur diesel was indeed an important
milestone in Government’s efforts towards improving our ambient air quality
and environment and ensuring more protection to public health through a
reduction in emission of black smoke, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons and
greenhouse
gases
from
vehicle
exhaust
tailpipes.
Apart
from
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environmental and health benefits, use of this diesel grade will enable our
country to take advantage of the latest technological breakthrough in
automobile diesel engines and of the introduction of new diesel efficiency
vehicle generation. However, the introduction of the 500-ppm diesel is not
the end of our goal. Now that we have the infrastructure in place, we
intend to move in the near future towards the importation of 50-ppm sulphur
diesel.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My Ministry has the overall responsibility to coordinate environmental
management and promote sustainable development in Mauritius. In this
national effort towards Maurice Ile Durable, we have embarked on a
number of initiatives. In line with the recommendations of the National
Environmental Strategy report, my Ministry with the assistance of the
European Commission has undertaken the project “Establishing an
Integrated Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Framework and Developing an
Air Quality Index for Mauritius.” This project will enable my Ministry to
effectively execute its roles and functions as Enforcing Agency for Air
Quality.
Furthermore, we now have a new National Environment Policy with a view
to reconciling environmental sustainability with economic and social
development with the ultimate goal of providing better quality of life to the
population.
Our National Environmental Strategies have also been
reviewed, and includes Air Quality Management which covers a whole
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range of economically important sectors including Aviation, Power,
Transport and Industry among the portfolio of environmental projects.
Continual improvement of our air quality is indeed in line with the concept
of Maurice Ile Durable as cherished by our Prime Minister, Dr. the
Honourable, Navinchandra Ramgoolam. His vision is forward looking as
we shape the sustainability path of Mauritius.
Within this context, my
Ministry is currently working towards the development of the Maurice Ile
Durable Policy and Strategy and the development of a Legislative and
institutional Framework to facilitate and enhance the implementation of the
MID Policy and Strategy.
My Ministry is also putting a lot of emphasis on environmental education
and sensitization. You would all concur with me that public awareness is a
key enabler in bringing change in mindsets. That is why we believe that it
is vital to raise awareness on best practices such as regular vehicle
servicing and fuel efficient driving practice. I am very happy to note that the
workshop-cum-exhibition will cover the aspects of awareness raising.
This workshop-cum-exhibition is just a kick-start to sensitize and inform
stakeholders on how to maintain and have a well tuned diesel engine with
exhaust emissions complying with current standards.
My Ministry will
sustain the sensitization through a media awareness campaign which
would target the youth, Drivers and the public at large.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
Vehicle emission control is a complex issue and calls for a close
collaboration and synergy with all stakeholder organisations mainly the the
National Transport Authority and the Mauritius Police Force as authorities
responsible to enforce legislation on vehicular emissions are paramount in
this quest. Within this collaborative framework, my Ministry, through the
Police de L’Environnement, is providing assistance by issuing notices
(PF71 Forms) under the Road Traffic Act to drivers of smoky vehicles for
opacity tests at the NTA Vehicle Examination Centres. From 2001 up to
October 2010, the Police de L’Environnement has issued 40,943 notices to
vehicles emitting black smoke.
Effective monitoring of vehicle emission also depends largely on the use of
latest technology and equipment such as smoke meters, axle weigh bridge
and sound level meters. In this context we are presently in the process of
procuring these specialised equipments which would be placed in the
custody of the Mauritius Police Force and the National Transport Authority.
These equipments will enable more stringent control of vehicular emissions
both on our roads and at the NTA Vehicle Examination Centres.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
We cannot and should not ignore the most important asset that we have,
which is our human resource. As Minister, I have always ensured that
training is imparted to our people so that they can remain abreast of latest
development in their respective fields. This workshop is yet another vivid
example of our capacity building strategy which would empower the
participants on the benefits of low sulphur diesel and cleaner vehicles and
enable them at the end to become more productive. Let me therefore seize
this opportunity to thank all the organisations and individuals who are
contributing to the success of this workshop-cum-exhibition.
I, now, have the pleasure to declare this two-day workshop-cum-exhibition
open.
Thank you
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