The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed 46 facilities in 10 states of the federation for various forms of environmental violations. According to a statement signed by Assistant Director, Press, Amaka Ejiofor, the enforcement exercise was carried out in Borno, Gombe, Ogun, Enugu, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba States. The facilities were shut down for refusing to comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Regulations. The offences include Violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, lack of an Environmental Audit Report, and failure to develop and implement an Environmental Management Plan.
Some facilities were also sanctioned for not installing an Effluent Treatment Plant, non-availability of the necessary permits relevant to their operations, and poor housekeeping, among others.
The director general of NESREA, Innocent Barikor has expressed displeasure over the non-compliance status of many facilities, warning that the trend was unhealthy for the health of the citizens and the environment.
He said: “It is disheartening these errant facilities carried on their operations in a manner that endangered the environment despite Notices of Compliance Concerns served on them as required by law. The Agency would continue to enforce the provisions of the 35 National Environmental Regulations and would not fail at any time to impose appropriate penalties on violators.”
Barikor said laws are made for the smooth running of society and compliance with the laws enhances wholesome development, as he encourages Nigerians to be true environmental vanguards by obeying the laws and reporting any environmental violations.
