Pollution: NESREA heightens enforcement, to seal erring facilities

The new Director General/CEO of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Aliyu Jauro said the new amended Act 2018 now empowers it to heighten enforcements and seal firms polluting the environment before obtaining a warrant.

At a briefing in Abuja yesterday on the amended NESREA Establishment Act 2018, he said, “The amendment enables the agency’s authorised officers to seal and close down premises or facilities, whose pollution to the environment is of imminent danger to life and property, while an application to the court for a warrant or order is being sought.”

To address health concerns, the ministry of health is now a government council member of the agency by the amended Act, he noted.

Prof. Jauro said the Act had its amendment signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 12, 2018.

“Imperatively, the amendment now empowers the agency to be able to establish and enforce administrative penalties. This will in no small measure strengthen her enforcement measures,” he said.

He urged the public to familiarise themselves with the new environmental laws, ensure best ways of waste disposal, obtain relevant permits and Environmental Impact certificates to avoid enforcement action.

“All industrial facilities and the business community are by this notice advised to carry out their activities within the scope of the environmental laws of the country as necessary measures shall be undertaken if any breach of the law, is observed,” Jauro noted.

Responding to questions, he said industries engaged in indiscriminate discharge of effluents in Kano should be aware of the new powers of NESREA adding that, “If they continue, we will go after them.”

The agency announced plans to launch the National Vehicular Emission Programme this quarter after it was delayed in January 2019 due to logistics issue with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Harping on his commitment, Jauro said, “The first thing I will want to do is to go on environmental compliance and enforcement which is the reason for this agency.”