The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed 46 facilities for non-compliance to various forms of environmental law in ten states.

The affected facilities are located in Borno, Gombe, Ogun, Enugu, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Taraba State.

The facilities were shut down due to a refusal to comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Regulations.

NESREA Director General, Dr. Innocent Barikor, in a statement explained that their offences include Violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, lack of Environmental Audit Report, and failure to develop and implement an Environmental Management Plan.

Barikor also added that some facilities were sanctioned for not installing an Effluent Treatment Plant, non-availability of the necessary permits relevant to their operations, and poor housekeeping, among others.

He expressed displeasure over the non-compliance status of many facilities, warning that the trend was unhealthy for the health of the citizens and the environment.

“It is disheartening these errant facilities carried on their operations in a manner that endangered the environment despite Notices of Compliance Concerns served on them as required by law.”

He maintained that the Agency would continue to enforce the provisions of the 35 National Environmental Regulations and would not fail at any time to impose appropriate penalties on violators.

“Laws are made for the smooth running of the society and compliance with the laws enhances wholesome development. We encourage Nigerians to be true environmental vanguards by obeying the laws and reporting any environmental violations,” he added.