‘We’ll not hesitate to shut down any recalcitrant company’

The National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has stressed that the agency will shut down any recalcitrant company that fails to obey environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others.

Director General, NESREA, Innocent Barikor, explained that the agency has collectively carried out criminal enforcement procedures on 96 recalcitrant facilities across the states and Federal Capital Territory for various environmental infractions, and would continue to do so to ensure such facilities live their obligations.

Giving the agency’s scorecard in Abuja, Barikor explained that they have issued environmental permits to the regulated community to ensure they adhere to standards and processes, as well as issued about 878 Air Quality, Waste and Toxic Substance Permits in 2024.

He said these regulations are aimed at achieving specific targeted outcomes such as improved air quality, environmental conservation, and reduced exposure to waste and hazardous substances, saying, their implementations are key to a clean environment.

According to him, they will begin the implementation of the two instruments in the plastic sector upon gazetting and publications respectively. There is a regional project aimed at reducing the import and release of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from the electronic sector.

Barikor said: “The Federal Government in its wisdom has also imposed a ban on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies nationwide in a bid to tackle the menace of plastic pollution in the country.”

On wildlife conservation, the Director General disclosed that the agency has collaborated with the Nigeria Customs Service to confiscate ivories, pangolin scales and other animal skins.

Barikor stated that conservation is a crucial factor for human existence given the role plants and animals play in the ecosystem. “We work with National Focal Point for CITES and other development partners to minimise or eradicate illegal wildlife trade in the country,” Barikor said.