From Idu Jude Abuja
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed two facilities in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, and Abaji, in the Federal Capital Territory, for violating environmental laws.
Geld Construction Limited, located in Abaji, and Arno Energy, a charcoal production facility in Okaba, Kogi State, were shut down for failing to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of their facilities and not possessing requisite environmental documents, including an Air Quality Permit, Environmental Audit Report, and Waste Management Permit.
The regulatory requirements are essential for maintaining standards across all facilities. The EIA provides guidance on mitigating the negative impacts of a facility’s operations on the environment.
The facilities were also found to be conducting their activities in ways harmful to the environment, negatively affecting the residents of the host communities.
NESREA stated that procedural steps, including issuing notices of compliance concerns, had been taken to compel the facilities to address their infractions. Their failure to comply led to the closures, aimed at safeguarding human health and the environment.
The Director General of NESREA, Dr Innocent Barikor, urged industry operators to ensure that their activities and operations align with the provisions of the law.