The National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed 21 facilities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for failing to comply with 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, among others.
Speaking to journalists during the enforcement exercise on Wednesday, NESREA’s Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, said the closures were necessary to mitigate the adverse environmental effects caused by the operations of these facilities.
“The negative impact of construction and quarrying activities within the FCT has triggered public outcry from host communities,” he said.
“The environment has been subjected to various forms of degradation and disasters such as flooding, erosion, and the creation of burrow pits,” he added.
Barikor explained that many of the affected sites violated the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act.
“There were numerous public complaints against these facilities, prompting NESREA officials to investigate. Despite issuing notices highlighting compliance concerns, these facilities ignored the provisions of the environmental laws,” he said.
He further revealed that many of the facilities commenced construction without conducting the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment.
(NAN)