The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said it has sealed eight companies in Akwa Ibom for contravening environmental laws guiding their operations in the state.
The state Coordinator of NESREA, Iwobi Ngozi, mentioned the affected companies to include Hensek Integrated Nigeria Ltd, Basse Engineering & Michel Ltd, Peacock Paints Ltd and Wizchino Engineering Ltd.
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Others include Lion Plywood and Timber Nig. Ltd, China Civil Engineering Construction Ltd, VKS Nig. Ltd, and DPL Construction Ltd.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Uyo, Ngozi explained that the affected companies did not produce the Environmental Audit Report of their operations as required by law.
She stated that the companies had operated for a long time in the state without recourse to the requisite environmental laws that regulate their operations, even after the agency had carried out enough sensitisation and enlightenment to draw their attention to it.
“The last two companies mentioned above obstructed us when we visited them during our routine checks on them. The security men at the gate attacked the team from our agency and prevented us from entering the company facility; VKS and DPL obstructed us.
“That alone was another offence which attracts another penalty before we reopen their facility for operation. Notice for obstructing the team and the penalty have been sent to them,’’ she said.