In a proactive move to ensure compliance with environmental laws, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has commenced a rigorous monitoring exercise targeting facilities in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative aims to compel adherence to environmental standards and address reported violations.
In a statement released on Friday, the agency announced its intention to escalate the monitoring efforts into a comprehensive enforcement action, imposing sanctions on facilities found guilty of environmental offenses. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, conveyed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the escalating number of complaints from concerned citizens regarding the adverse effects of facilities on public health and the environment.
According to the statement signed by Amaka Ejiofor, the Assistant Director (Press) at NESREA, Prof. Jauro stated, “My office is besieged daily by Nigerians with complaints concerning the activities of facilities and their detrimental impact on health and the environment. Despite serving notices of compliance, many facilities have persisted in their infractions against the environment.”
Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Prof. Jauro underscored the agency’s commitment to taking decisive actions against defaulting facilities, including legal prosecution if deemed necessary. The initial phase of this enforcement initiative is concentrated in the FCT, with NESREA intending to extend the exercise to all states across the Federation.
“We are at a critical juncture where we must undertake all necessary measures to safeguard our environment, as it is an indispensable requirement for our survival on planet Earth,” Prof. Jauro asserted.
NESREA, as the premier environmental enforcement agency in Nigeria, holds the mandate to enforce all environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards, and regulations within the country. Additionally, the agency is tasked with prohibiting processes and the use of equipment or technology that undermines environmental quality. NESREA is also responsible for ensuring compliance with international agreements, protocols, conventions, and treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
