The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to upgrading critical infrastructure for national development, with a focus on climate-friendly industrial practices.
Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, gave the assurance in Lagos during the commissioning of the Optimized House, a landmark project under Nigeria’s implementation of the Montreal Protocol and the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP).
The Minister explained that the facility, developed in collaboration with the National Ozone Office of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will support the transition from HCFC-141b to ozone- and climate-friendly blowing agents in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foam.
He highlighted that the project has achieved the relocation and upgrade of a system laboratory with advanced analytical equipment, optimization of the PU Systems House with additional blending tanks, and the complete phase-out of HCFC-141b in sandwich panel, spray, and block systems at Vitapur Nigeria Ltd’s operations.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of Vitapur Ltd, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, noted that the facility will boost capabilities in trials, testing, and training with low-global warming potential (GWP) blowing agents. He added that it will increase blending capacity for ozone-depleting substance-free raw materials, expand laboratory functions, and generate significant economic and environmental impact. According to him, the project will create jobs, promote technology transfer, save foreign exchange by reducing import dependence, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrialization drive through local subsidiaries such as Vitapur, Vitavisco, Vitablom, Vono Furniture, and Vitaparts.
Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Mrs. Elsie Attafuah, represented by Muyiwa Odele, urged the Ministry of Environment and Vitapur management to ensure optimal use and maintenance of the facility for the benefit of humanity.
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The commissioning ceremony featured the official handover of the facility to Vitapur Nigeria Ltd and the signing of an agreement between the Federal Ministry of Environment (through the National Ozone Office), UNDP, and Vitapur Nigeria Ltd. to guarantee sustainability and continuous optimization of the system.
In her closing remarks, the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Environment, Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, commended stakeholders for their support and encouraged Nigerians to patronize indigenous manufacturers in their efforts to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.
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