The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has issued a stern warning to non-compliant facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. According to Amaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s spokesperson, the agency is set to impose sanctions on facilities that fail to adhere to environmental laws and regulations.
Ejiofor disclosed that NESREA will initiate a rigorous compliance monitoring exercise targeting facilities in and around the FCT. This will be swiftly followed by enforcement actions to penalize those found culpable of violating environmental regulations.
Speaking on the matter, the director-general of NESREA, Aliyu Jauro, emphasized the increasing number of complaints the agency receives from concerned Nigerians regarding the activities of facilities and their detrimental impact on health and the environment. Jauro stressed that despite serving notices of compliance, many facilities have persisted in their environmental infractions, necessitating the imposition of sanctions and prosecution of defaulters.
Jauro underlined the agency’s commitment to protecting the environment, asserting that the crackdown would not be limited to the FCT but would extend to all states across Nigeria. He emphasized the essential role of safeguarding the environment for human survival on the planet.
NESREA, as the primary environmental enforcement agency in Nigeria, is mandated to enforce all environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards, and regulations. Furthermore, the agency holds the authority to prohibit processes, equipment, or technology that undermine environmental quality. NESREA is also tasked with ensuring compliance with international agreements, protocols, conventions, and treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
This latest move by NESREA underscores the critical importance of environmental protection and the enforcement of regulations to preserve Nigeria’s natural heritage and the well-being of its citizens.
