NESREA has shut down 25 facilities across Anambra, Enugu, Bayelsa, and Rivers for breaching environmental regulations.
The agency says noncompliance won’t be tolerated as it cracks down on companies ignoring safety, audits, and impact assessment requirements.
In a sweeping enforcement operation, Nigeria’s environmental watchdog, NESREA, has sealed 25 facilities in four southern states over breaches of environmental regulations. The agency warns that noncompliance will no longer be tolerated.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has closed down 25 facilities in Anambra, Enugu, Bayelsa, and Rivers States for flouting environmental laws. This was made public through a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor.
According to Ejiofor, the affected establishments, spanning various sectors, were sanctioned for serious violations, including failure to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) before initiating their operations, neglecting required environmental audits, and operating without functional effluent treatment systems.
The closures target both indigenous and foreign-linked companies operating across diverse industries. Among the facilities sealed in Enugu State are
- Rugal Pharmaceutical, Emene Industrial Layout
- China Communication Construction Company (Owo Yard)
- Planet Project (Holy Ghost Central Park and Garriki Central Project)
- Reinforce Global Construction Company Ltd, Enugu-Abakaliki Flyover
- Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Okpara Avenue
- Tanit Medical Engineering Ltd (Enugu International Hospital Project)
- Mil House Energy Services Ltd, Awhum Village
In Bayelsa, NESREA acted against
- China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Obogoro Road, Swali, Yenagoa
- Megastar Technical and Construction Company Ltd, Imiringi Road
In Rivers State, facilities such as Multi Plan Nigeria Ltd., located in Okuru-Ama, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, were also sealed.
Ejiofor emphasised that the shutdown was necessary to protect the environment and public health, adding that most of these facilities had ignored prior warnings and failed to align with existing environmental protocols.
Repeat offenders face stricter penalties
NESREA made it clear that repeated violations and disregard for environmental laws would not be tolerated. In a similar operation earlier in May, the agency had shut down 21 facilities in the Federal Capital Territory for similar offences.
The agency’s message is consistent: no facility, regardless of size or influence, is exempt from compliance. “Many of these organizations are repeat offenders who have previously been cautioned and yet failed to adhere to the requirements of Nigeria’s environmental framework,” Ejiofor noted.
NESREA reinforces its enforcement mandate
Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, called on companies to ensure their operations do not pose environmental hazards. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to upholding environmental laws and standards nationwide.
“We will not hesitate to take action against any entity violating environmental laws,” Barikor stated. “Our priority is to safeguard the environment and ensure sustainable development for all Nigerians.”
The Director-General further encouraged collaboration between companies and NESREA to ensure the smooth implementation of sustainable practices. He emphasized that enforcement operations will continue across the country, as the agency remains firm on holding defaulting facilities accountable.
What you should know about NESREA
Established to enforce Nigeria’s environmental laws, NESREA is responsible for monitoring and regulating the activities of both private and public organizations with the aim of preserving the natural ecosystem.
Beyond enforcement, the agency collaborates with local and international stakeholders on issues such as biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and the promotion of eco-friendly technologies.
Its recent crackdown is part of a broader strategy to create environmental accountability and raise awareness on the importance of regulatory compliance.
