The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sanctioned 21 facilities in Abuja for failing to comply with established environmental laws and regulations.
Several facilities and projects were sealed, including Ochacho Real Homes Limited in Idu, Cosgrove Shopping Mall Project in Wuse II, and Belmont Court in Idu, among others.
Speaking to journalists during the enforcement exercise on Wednesday, in Abuja, Innocent Barikor, Director-General of NESREA, stated that the action was taken to stop the negative environmental effects caused by the operations of these facilities.
According to him, the construction and quarrying activities within the FCT have triggered significant public outcry from host communities due to their negative environmental impact.
“The environment is being subjected to various forms of degradation and risks, including flooding, erosion, and the development of burrow pits,” he stated.
Barikor, a Professor, noted that the construction sector had increasingly violated the provisions of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act.
He explained that NESREA received numerous public complaints against the affected facilities, prompting investigations by the agency. Following the investigations, compliance concern notices were issued to the operators.
“Despite these warnings, the facilities failed to comply with environmental regulations, which led to the enforcement action taken by the agency,” Barikor said.
He further revealed that many of the sealed projects commenced without conducting the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment, in clear breach of the law.
