NESREA seals 8 firms in A/Ibom

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has sealed eight companies for allegedly contravening environmental laws, policies and guidelines regulating their operations in Akwa Ibom.

Mrs Ngozi Iwobi, Coordinator of the agency in the state, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Uyo, on Thursday.

Ngozi said the affected companies did not produce Environmental Audit Report, as required by law in their operations.

She listed the firms as, Hensek Integrated Nigeria Ltd, Basse Engineering & Michel Ltd, Peacock Paints Ltd and Wizchino Engineering Ltd.

Others included Lion Plywood and Timber Nig Ltd, China Civil Engineering Construction Ltd, VKS Nig Ltd as well as DPL Construction Ltd.

Iwobi disclosed that the companies had operated in the state for a long time, not minding requisite environmental laws that regulated their operations, despite adequate sensitisation and enlightenment by the agency.

The coordinator said the agency had drawn attention of the companies to do the needful, to safeguard the environment from total collapse.

“The last two companies mentioned above, obstructed us when we visited them during our routine checks.

“The security men at the gate attacked our team and prevented us from entering the facility.

According to her, the obstruction by VKS Nig const. Ltd and DPL const. Ltd., is another offence, which attracts another penalty, before we can reopen their facilities for operations.

“Notice for obstructing the team and the penalty have been sent to them and it’s contrary to section 31 of NESREA established Act.

“It is an offense for officers of the agency to be obstructed by person or persons or by a corporate body from performing his, her or their duties.

“It is worthy to note that beside its robust mandate, the agency’s compliance, monitoring and enforcement activities are structured and carried out, based on provisions of 33 National Environmental Regulations,’’ she said.

She said the companies ignored all abatement notices , urging them to carry out operations in an environmental friendly and sustainable manner.

She also explained that NESREA would continue to embark on nationwide enforcement exercises, to end an era of gross negligence and non adherence of standards and regulations by some industries.

“The level of impunity exhibited by these erring facilities must not be allowed to continue,’’ she said.

She noted that the routine was an ongoing process and the agency would, without warning, go ahead to sanction any facility that fell below regulatory standards.

The coordinator, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to serve as environmental watchdogs, by reporting facilities whose activities were detrimental to the environment.