NESREA DG issues stern warning on compliance gaps
From Idu Jude, Abuja
Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, at the weekend, issued a stern warning to facilities nationwide to urgently address compliance deficiencies in their operations or face substantial penalties.
The warning came in response to a recent briefing on NESREA’s comprehensive routine compliance monitoring conducted across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Dr. Barikor expressed grave concern over the persistent non-compliance with environmental regulations observed at numerous facilities. He pointed out a disturbing trend where facilities are found discharging effluents without proper treatment and operating without essential environmental documentation, including Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Audits, and Environmental Permits. Such practices, he stressed, are both illegal and damaging to the environment.
“We are witnessing a troubling pattern of disregard for environmental laws,” Dr. Barikor stated. “Facilities must comply with established regulations to ensure environmental protection. The discharge of untreated effluents and the operation without necessary environmental documentation are violations that we cannot and will not tolerate.”
He revealed that NESREA has taken decisive action against violators, with 75 non-compliant facilities shut down since the beginning of the year.
He emphasized that enforcement is an ongoing process and that the agency remains committed to rigorous monitoring and compliance measures.
The NESREA DG also reiterated the agency’s pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s environment. NESREA is tasked with enforcing a range of environmental standards, protocols, treaties, and conventions that Nigeria has adopted. To this end, the agency has developed 36 National Environmental Regulations spanning various economic sectors. These regulations are crucial tools designed to prevent industrial and facility operations from causing environmental harm.
Dr. Barikor urged all facilities to promptly address and rectify any compliance issues. NESREA’s continued enforcement efforts are vital for maintaining environmental integrity and ensuring that industrial activities contribute positively to Nigeria’s ecological well-being.
