Institutions without data on air pollution from vehicle emissions
Kosovo has no data on air pollution from transport vehicles, but a database is expected to be created for it. Through a project of the Ministry of Environment with a Japanese agency, some measurements are being made to see the level of pollution. According to representatives of the Ministry, currently no measures will be taken to prevent pollution. Those familiar with the matter say that mechanisms must be created to do this
During an hour's stay on Thursday, on the Mazgit highway in Prishtina, the device that measures the emission of gases in vehicles detected that four of them were outside the standard. The gas emission value was above five.
After the broadcast, the Police stopped the drivers, instructing them to do a technical inspection of the vehicles.
This control is part of the project developed by the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MMPHI) in collaboration with a Japanese agency and aims to understand which means of transport contribute more to air pollution.
The deputy minister of this department, Avni Zogiani, has said that so far there is no data on air pollution caused by transport vehicles.
"Until now, there is no consolidated data, there are partial data, incomplete data. But, currently, the goal of this project is to create a scientific base of exact data which will then help us to go further", Zogiani declared.
He said that currently no measures will be taken for the means that cause air pollution.
"Currently nothing, this project is aimed at research. It is not intended to punish or take measures", added Zogiani.
The representative from the Japanese agency JICA also emphasized that Kosovo does not have enough data and indicated the measures that should be taken.
"What needs to be done is to collect enough data, create a database and then analyze and see based on priority who are the biggest polluters and in the future take measures from the Government", said the leader of project, Kuwahara Fumihiko.
Meanwhile, Arton Demhasaj, director of the "Çohu" organization, said that air pollution was reduced by about 50% during the pandemic, when traffic was restricted.
According to him, industrial pollutants, old cars and the quality of derivatives are a key problem. He also spoke about the steps that should be taken by the Government for the benefit of the environment.
"First, I think that what the government has done so far is to start by creating a mechanism that is permanent and that measures the quality of derivatives even at the supply points in Kosovo. We started to create new policies that subsidize the purchase of cars that are more eco-friendly, that pollute the environment less, and we gradually started to phase out old cars," he said.
Demhasaj added that according to statistics, about 50% of vehicles are older than two decades.
The project for the collection of air pollution data by the Ministry is planned to be developed in the area of Pristina, which includes Obiliqi, Fushë-Kosova and Graçanica.
