The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed the Sunseed Oil facility in Zaria, Kaduna State, over alleged violations of Nigeria’s air quality regulations.
Innocent Barikor, Director-General of NESREA, warned industrial operators to comply fully with national environmental regulations and avoid practices that could negatively affect public health and the environment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Nwamaka Ejiofor, Assistant Director of Press, NESREA said the scale and intensity of the emissions posed an immediate risk to the surrounding environment and public health, necessitating the closure of the facility.
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The statement noted that the action followed reports of persistent air pollution linked to excessive emissions from the facility, which the agency said contravened the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations.
The regulations require industries to install pollution abatement equipment and adopt cleaner production technologies.
“The severity of the emissions, which posed an immediate threat to the surrounding ecosystem and the health of nearby residents, led to the closure of the facility,” the statement said.
NESREA noted that the enforcement action reflects its commitment to ensuring industrial compliance and protecting citizens from the harmful effects of unregulated industrial discharges, including air pollutants and effluents.
Industrial air pollution has become an increasing concern across the country, particularly in industrial areas located close to residential communities. Such emissions are associated with respiratory illnesses, environmental degradation and a decline in the quality of life of residents.
Under the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations, industries are required to install functional pollution control equipment, adopt cleaner production processes and regularly monitor emissions to ensure compliance with permissible limits.
NESREA has repeatedly warned that non-compliance with environmental regulations would attract sanctions, including the sealing of facilities, fines and possible prosecution.
In recent years, the agency has intensified enforcement actions against industries found to be operating in breach of environmental laws governing air quality, effluent discharge and waste management.
Established under the NESREA Act of 2007, the agency is mandated to enforce national environmental standards and ensure Nigeria’s compliance with international environmental agreements.
