By Idu Jude, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that it is ready to recover several abandoned project sites across the country through a decommissioning plan and environmental remediation strategy.
The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a one-day workshop on the review of decommissioning plans and environmental remediation strategies, adding that abandoned project sites constitute environmental hazards and degrade the value of such properties.
The Minister said that the effort being made by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Agency (NESREA) to prepare regulations for the decommissioning project underscores its collective responsibility to ensure that environmental sustainability remains at the forefront of Nigeria’s national development agenda.
He further observed that the one-day workshop also represents an important step toward ensuring that industrial activities in Nigeria align with the highest standards of environmental protection and sustainability.
“You will all agree with me that decommissioning and remediation are critical aspects of sustainable resource management. Nigeria, like many nations, faces challenges in the areas of regulatory compliance, capacity building, and the availability of advanced technologies for decommissioning and remediation.
The Minister maintained that these challenges also present opportunities, such as investing in training and fostering collaborations among stakeholders, which can build a robust framework that ensures best practices are adopted and enforced.
“As Nigeria continues to grow its industrial, extractive, and energy sectors, we must not lose sight of the potential environmental and social impacts of these activities. Ensuring that sites are properly decommissioned and that effective remediation strategies are implemented is vital to safeguarding the health of our people, as well as protecting biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable use of our natural resources.
“Over the years, we have witnessed poorly managed decommissioning and remediation efforts leading to long-term environmental damage, public health crises, and substantial economic costs. This workshop is not just timely but crucial to environmental sustainability.”
Meanwhile, the Minister has also said that the Federal Ministry of Environment recognises the invaluable contributions of agencies like the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in enforcing environmental regulations, promoting best practices, and fostering a culture of accountability among industries operating within our borders, as well as the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP) for remediation and cleanup of the Niger Delta region.
“Today’s workshop underscores the dedication of such agencies to capacity building and knowledge enhancement, which are critical to the effective implementation of their mandates.”
He noted the workshop is therefore designed to achieve the following key objectives, which include enhancing the technical expertise of participants in evaluating decommissioning plans and environmental remediation strategies; promoting compliance with national and international environmental standards and guidelines; and providing a platform for knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices among industry professionals, regulators, and other stakeholders.
While speaking earlier in welcoming stakeholders to the workshop, the Director-General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, remarked that the agency plays a vital role in safeguarding Nigeria’s environment by enforcing compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards.
“Our responsibilities span multiple sectors, including energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, and extractive industries, and our work ensures that industrial activities do not compromise the well-being of our ecosystems or communities.
“As you know, decommissioning industrial facilities is an integral part of our regulatory oversight. This process goes beyond the cessation of operations; it involves managing environmental risks, ensuring safe disposal of waste, mitigating hazards, and remediating sites to protect public health and enable sustainable post-decommissioning uses.”
He, therefore, said that the workshop is designed to provide stakeholders and other NESREA staff with the tools to effectively evaluate and oversee these processes, ensuring they align with both national regulations and international best practices.
“Today’s training will focus on enhancing your understanding of critical components of decommissioning plans, from waste management and hazard containment to environmental remediation and compliance with regulatory standards. The workshop will also explore relevant national regulations and introduce international frameworks that guide decommissioning practices globally.
“By the end of this workshop, you will be better equipped to review, approve, and enforce decommissioning plans that not only meet legal requirements but also reflect NESREA’s commitment to environmental stewardship.”
“As a regulator, our effectiveness depends on the strength of our knowledge base, the clarity of our processes, and our ability to adapt to evolving environmental challenges. This workshop represents an important opportunity to refine these attributes and ensure that NESREA remains at the forefront of environmental protection in Nigeria.”
The programme facilitator from the European Union, Mrs. Agharese Lucia, while making a presentation, explained that the whole idea is to serve as an environmental cleanup and remediation strategy to help recover and protect lands for future purposes.
She said that achieving success through this requires the collaborative efforts of professionals and the Government. “This workshop is a preparatory ground to prepare regulations for easy implementation. This is because recovering abandoned facilities has a lot of implications, such as engaging the owners or the operators of the facilities, the political issues, and the types of facilities involved.”