The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down 30 facilities in Abuja for failing to comply with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements, in a sweeping enforcement exercise targeting violations in the construction sector.
The operation, conducted in the Abuja alongside members of the press, followed findings from routine inspections and compliance monitoring by the agency.
Speaking during a media briefing, Director of Environmental Quality Control, Elijah Udofia, said the affected facilities breached environmental regulations governing construction activities and failed to respond adequately to regulatory directives.
He noted that the infractions included non-compliance with environmental documentation requirements and disregard for formal compliance communications issued by the agency.
“Where regulatory communication is clear, time-bound, and evidence-based, failure to respond constitutes a serious breach of compliance obligations and poses risks to both the environment and public health,” Udofia said.
He warned that while the construction sector remains critical to national development, it also poses significant environmental risks when safeguards are ignored. Such risks, he explained, include poor waste management, construction on floodplains, uncontrolled emissions, and unsafe handling of building materials.
Udofia stressed that the enforcement action aligns with NESREA’s statutory mandate to enforce environmental laws and safeguard public health.
“Environmental compliance is not optional. Regulations are designed to prevent harm and ensure that construction activities are responsibly managed from inception,” he stated.
According to him, the agency escalated its response from engagement to enforcement after the affected facilities failed to meet compliance requirements or address regulatory concerns.
He outlined that the measures taken were aimed at halting environmentally harmful activities, compelling adherence to regulations, and ensuring that corrective actions are implemented within stipulated timelines.
The enforcement, he added, is backed by the provisions of the NESREA Act and the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011.
Issuing a strong warning to developers and contractors, Udofia emphasized that environmental documentation is mandatory and must be submitted in accordance with the law. He also urged operators to respond promptly to compliance notices and adopt proper environmental safeguards at project sites.
He highlighted critical measures such as dust control, effective waste management, erosion prevention, and adherence to safe construction practices as essential components of project execution.
NESREA reiterated that its enforcement actions are guided by evidence and due process, assuring the public of fairness and consistency in its regulatory interventions nationwide.
The agency also called for stronger collaboration with stakeholders to enhance environmental compliance across the sector, noting that communities are entitled to safe and healthy environments, while developers benefit from predictable regulatory frameworks.
The crackdown, NESREA said, serves as a clear warning of its commitment to strict enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly where violations threaten public health and environmental sustainability.
