The National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed 21 facilities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for violating environmental regulations.
Among the affected projects are Ochacho Real Homes Limited in Idu, Cosgrove Shopping Mall Project in Wuse II, and Belmont Court in Idu.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise on Wednesday, NESREA’s Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, said the action became necessary due to the harmful environmental impacts posed by the operations of the facilities.
“The negative impact of the construction and quarrying activities within FCT has led to public outcry by the host communities where these facilities exist,” he stated.
He added that the activities have exposed the environment to various forms of degradation including flooding, erosion, and the creation of burrow pits.
Barikor further lamented the construction sector’s persistent disregard for environmental laws, citing the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations of 2011 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act.
“There were many public complaints against these facilities and officials of NESREA carried out investigation, after which notices of compliance concerns were issued to these facilities,” he said. “In spite of that, they failed to adhere to the provisions of the environmental laws, hence the action by the agency.”
He noted that a significant number of the facilities failed to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments before commencing their projects, a mandatory requirement under Nigerian law.
The enforcement is part of NESREA’s broader effort to uphold environmental safety standards and ensure responsible development in the FCT.
