Federal Gov’t Seals 14 Firms For Violating Environmental Laws In FCT

The National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Agency (NESREA) has enforced the closure of fourteen (14) erring facilities across various sectors within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Director General/CEO of NESREA, Professor Innocent Barikor, after the exercise in Abuja told journalists that notices of violation had been issued to the concerned facilities detailing specific breaches observed and provided a framework for corrective actions prior to the closures.

Barikor said although the facilities were required to address the observed breaches within stipulated timelines but the advisory was ignored.

He further revealed that the agency’s inspection focused on compliance with environmental laws and regulations, which revealed several violations related to lack of environmental documents and non-adherence to regulations guiding their operations which he said can endanger the lives and properties of citizens.

The Director General explained that the enforcement cut across three different regulations such as quarrying and blasting operations, construction sector and noise standards and control.

He stressed that the inspection followed complaints about facilities like the Ibiza Nite Club and De Hive Night Club, where measurements showed that the facilities exceeded permissible noise levels in contravention of the National Environmental (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations 2009.

Prof Barikor also disclosed that following public outcry by residents over incessant and indiscriminate blasting by a firm, Dai Jin Jia Investment Limited, NESREA officials discovered several violations including ground vibration, flying of rocks (boulders), noise and air pollution, contrary to the provisions of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.

“The Charge Loading Density (CLD) of the explosives of 4 metric tonnes (4,000Kg) used by the facility exceeded the 3 metric tonnes (3,000kg) per blast prescribed in the National Environmental Regulations, and the Depth of the Blasting Hole of 14 metres exceeded the 8-10m depth for commercial blasting,” the NESREA boss said.

The DG further stated that the depth of the quarrying/blasting pit of 17 metres of the facility also exceeded the 3m prescribed by the National Environmental Regulations for blasting of rock mass occurring below the earth surface.

He added that eleven other facilities were sanctioned for lacking necessary environmental documents including Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Audit Report as prescribed in the National Environment (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011.

The affected facilities include Shaanxi Construction, Airport Road; Brmley Home, Katampe; Clover Court, Mabushi; Skyscape Real Estate Limited, Sabon Lugbe; Richardo Estate, Wuye; H Medix Building, Wuye; Stepcho Nigeria Limited, Wuye; Bima Shelter, Asokoro; Bilami Nig. Enterprise Kado; Ifedi Homes Estate/Residential Development, Kukwaba District; and Java Design Concept Nigeria, Wuse II.

Barikor further advised that facilities’ owners should adhere to established standards and take proactive measures to minimise environmental impact.

He promised that the agency will continue to monitor quarrying and construction activities closely and take appropriate actions against any entity that disregards environmental regulations.