((NESREA). photo by environews Nigeria)
Thirty facilities in Abuja have been shut down by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) due to noncompliance with the construction industry’s statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations.
Construction sites that were discovered to be in violation of environmental standards were the focus of the enforcement operation, which was conducted in cooperation with the media. The action came after regular inspections and compliance monitoring exercises, according to officials.
Elijah Udofia, the agency’s director of environmental quality control, stated during a news conference that the impacted facilities disregarded regulations and neglected to submit the necessary environmental documents.
He claimed that certain operators’ failure to reply to official correspondence or adhere to deadlines for compliance constituted a grave infraction with possible repercussions for the environment and public health.
He cautioned that although construction is still essential to Nigeria’s development, improper regulation poses serious environmental dangers. These include hazardous building material handling, development on flood-prone regions, high emissions, and inadequate waste disposal methods.
Udofia underlined that NESREA’s action is in line with its legal obligation to uphold environmental regulations and stop ecological damage before it starts.
He emphasized that rules are intended to guarantee responsible project execution from the beginning, saying, “Environmental compliance is not optional.”
He pointed out that after several attempts at engagement failed to get the impacted institutions to comply, enforcement was required.
The National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011 and the NESREA Act, according to the agency, provide it the authority to stop operations that endanger environmental safety.
Additionally, Udofia strongly advised contractors and developers to prioritize environmental protections like dust suppression, appropriate waste management, erosion prevention, and safe site operations.
He assured the public that NESREA is still dedicated to equitable and uniform enforcement across the country and that the agency’s decisions were based on evidence and due process rather than arbitrary judgments.
The organization also urged stakeholders to work together to promote environmental responsibility, pointing out that rigorous adherence to environmental norms is necessary for sustainable growth.
According to NESREA, the facilities’ closure should serve as a strong warning that breaking environmental regulations will result in harsh regulatory action.