NESREA seals five firms in Adamawa over environmental safety violation

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed five industries in Adamawa for violation of environmental safety standards.

Malam Aliyu Hamid, the state Coordinator of the agency, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while inspecting the enforcement exercise of the Agency, on Tuesday in Yola.

Hamid said the erring industries were sealed after several warnings were issued for them to comply with the environmental safety standards.

He listed the industries to include AFCOT; Al-Hamsad and A.A. Lawal Rice Mills, Shamad Concept Nigeria Limited and Gidan Gona Limited all in Yola metropolis.

“The action followed series of warnings and issuance of letters to the affected industries to comply with the National Environmental Safety Standards.

“Also, use of firewood in industrial quantity for their production and lack of conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

“In addition, none of the sealed facilities complied with the Agency’s warnings, and as a result, we found it necessary to enforce sanction,” he said.

According to him, the defaulting industries are directed to comply with the Agency’s standard requirements as contained in early warning letters issued to them.

The Coordinator said that some of the companies were found to have contravened NESREA regulations which include the use of fire wood in commercial quantity, lack of conduct and compliance to the EIA.

“The agency expressed disappointment because according to our findings the TRIACTA Construction Company did not conduct EIA before conducting its construction activities in the state.

“While the consultant working with the company for the production of such assessment is not registered with the Federal Ministry of Environment,” she said.

He said the Agency would intensify enforcement exercises to monitor and ensure that companies operating in the state comply with the set rules and regulations. (NAN)