The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed 46 facilities in 10 states for environmental violations.
A statement by the Assistant Director of Press Amaka Ejiofor, said the enforcement was done in Borno, Gombe, Ogun, Enugu, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
The facilities were shut for refusing to comply with National Environmental Regulations. Their offences include violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, lack of Environmental Audit Report, and failure to develop and implement an Environmental Management Plan.
Some facilities were also sanctioned for not installing an Effluent Treatment Plant, non-availability of the necessary permits relevant to their operations, poor housekeeping, among others.
Director-General of NESREA Dr. Innocent Barikor expressed displeasure over the non-compliance status of many facilities, and warned that the trend was unhealthy for the people and the environment.
“It is disheartening that these errant facilities carried on their operations in a manner that endangered the environment despite Notices of Compliance Concerns served on them as required by law. The agency would continue to enforce the provisions of the 35 National Environmental Regulations and would not fail at any time to impose appropriate penalties on violators,” he said.
Barikor added that laws are made for the smooth running of the society and compliance with the laws enhances wholesome development. He thus encouraged Nigerians to be true environmental vanguards by obeying the laws and reporting any violations.