From Idu Jude, Abuja
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has introduced updated Environmental Audit Guidelines to address gaps in industry reporting and enhance environmental performance across Nigeria.
The guidelines, unveiled during a workshop organized in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, aim to streamline environmental audit processes. The event brought together over 350 participants, including NESREA-accredited consultants and agency staff.
An environmental audit evaluates an organization’s operations to improve environmental performance and identify compliance gaps. However, previous reports were criticized for their lack of essential technical data, inconsistent formats, and inadequate coverage of Environmental Management Plans (EMP) outlined during Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
“The revised guidelines will ensure standardized and accurate reporting, with stricter oversight on data authenticity,” said Dr. Innocent Barikor, Director General of NESREA. He emphasized the agency’s commitment to verifying audit parameters and taking action against falsified reports.
The collaborative effort with CSE resulted in guidelines focusing on quantitative data, such as production capacity, resource consumption, and waste generation, addressing previous shortcomings in reporting.
“A comprehensive audit aids industries in improving efficiency, optimizing resource use, and ensuring compliance,” noted Ishita Garg of CSE.
She highlighted the monetary and environmental benefits of robust audits and the importance of multi-year data for performance tracking.
The Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Mr. Isa Abdussalam, added that the updated guidelines would not only assist industry stakeholders but also empower regulatory bodies to enforce compliance effectively.