NESREA partners judiciary to strengthen environmental laws

Speaking at a two-day national sensitisation workshop for judges and other law enforcement officers yesterday in Abuja, Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia L. Mallam, said the workshop was organised to create awareness on the importance of effective implementation of environmental laws in the country.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rabiu Jimeta,  the minister urged the workshop participants to explore best options for effective enforcement of regulations, standards and timely prosecution of environmental crimes.
According to Mallam, attaining sustainable development required implementation of appropriate environmental policies, laws, regulations and standards that combined natural resource protection and management initiatives; adding: “It also requires adequate sensitisation and retooling of those who will interpret and enforce the laws, as well as adequate public participation in the implementation of such laws.”
She said many laws and regulations in the past have suffered weak enforcement due to inadequate institutional arrangements, poor education and awareness.
“For environmental laws to be continuously relevant in the society, it will entail the existence of a sound legal framework to support effective and robust institutions that will regulate and enforce such laws,” she added.
She said capacity building of the judges will not only enhance the quality of judicial pronouncements and improve judicial techniques and approaches in the application of green principles, but it will also develop an environmental jurisprudence that can be used in enhancing environmental rule of law and justice.
The Director General of NESREA, Mrs. Benebo Ngeri, said there was need for synergy among the judiciary and law enforcement agencies for speedy dispensation of environmental justice in the country.
She said holding the workshop was crucial to address environmental crimes which, she noted, now assumed a grievous dimensions.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke who was represented by Mr. Bola Odegbeson, said in a key note address that effective environmental governance guaranteed a sustainable future.