The director-general of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor has issued a stern warning to facilities violating Nigeria’s environmental laws, affirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to environmental protection and public safety.
Barikor sounded the warning on Wednesday during a media briefing after NESREA sealed off the popular Ibiza Nite Club and 13 other facilities for breaching various environmental regulations.
According to him, the action followed public complaints about excessive noise pollution from Ibiza Nite Club and De Hive Night Club in Abuja. Inspections conducted by the agency confirmed that both facilities were operating far above permissible noise limits, contrary to the provisions of the National Environmental (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations 2009.
“Three separate compliance concern notices were issued to the facilities, clearly outlining the violations and instructing them to take immediate remedial action. However, they failed to comply. To safeguard the well-being of nearby residents, we were left with no choice but to seal the premises,” Barikor said.
He also disclosed that Dai Jin Jia Investment Limited, a quarrying company, was sanctioned following a series of public complaints about indiscriminate blasting and associated hazards. Investigations revealed that the company had violated the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013 by exceeding the allowed charge loading density of 3,000kg per blast and using blasting hole depths of 14 metres – well beyond the permitted 8 to 10 metres for commercial operations.
The facility also operated a 17-metre-deep blasting pit, significantly exceeding the three-metre regulatory limit for subsurface blasting.
In addition to these high-profile cases, NESREA sealed 11 other facilities for failing to provide essential environmental documentation, including environmental impact statements and environmental audit reports, in violation of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011.
The affected facilities include Shaanxi Construction, Airport Road; Brmley Home, Katampe; Clover Court, Mabushi; Skyscape Real Estate Limited, Sabon Lugbe; Richardo Estate and H Medix Building, both in Wuye; Stepcho Nigeria Limited, Wuye; Bima Shelter, Asokoro; Bilami Nigeria Enterprise, Kado; Ifedi Homes Estate, Kukwaba District and Java Design Concept Nigeria, Wuse II.
Barikor stressed that NESREA will intensify monitoring and ensure full enforcement of all environmental laws, pledging decisive action against any organisation that violates national standards.
