The National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on Wednesday shut down facilities belonging to 21 companies for failing to comply with extant environmental laws in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The facilities/projects sealed were located at the premises of Ochacho Real Homes Limited, Idu; Cosgrove Shopping Mall Project, Wuse II; Belmont Court, Idu; and 18 others.

The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, disclosed this while addressing reporters in Abuja, informing them that the enforcement exercise was carried out to halt the adverse environmental impacts of the activities of the facilities of these firms.

Barikor added that the negative impact of the construction and quarrying activities within the FCT has led to public outcry by the host communities where these facilities exist, as the environment is exposed to various forms of environmental degradation and disaster such as flooding, erosions, and burrow pits.

He explained, “The construction sector has continued to deviate from the provisions of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, and there were many public complaints against the facilities and officials of NESREA carried out investigation.

“We have issued after-query notices to the affected companies which they refused to comply, so we have no other option than to shut down the facilities.

“However, they failed to adhere to the provisions of the environmental laws, hence the action by the Agency. Many of the facilities failed to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment before the commencement of their projects as required by the law.”