Isaac Job
Eight companies in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State are sealed for contravening various environmental laws, policies and guidelines regulating their operations.
The firms include Hensek Integrated Nigeria Ltd, Basse Engineering & Michel Ltd, Peacock Paints Ltd and Wizchino Engineering Ltd.
Others are Lion Plywood and Timber Nig Ltd, China Civil Engineering Construction Ltd, VKS Nig Ltd and DPL Construction Ltd.
Speaking to newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital on Thursday, Mrs Iwobi Angela Ngozi, the state Coordinator of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), said the companies did not produce Environmental Audit Report as required by law in their operations.
Iwobi stated that the companies have operated in the state for a long time not minding the requisite environmental laws that regulate their operations despite enough sensitization and enlightenment of the Agency to draw their attention for them to do the needful to save the environment from total collapse.
According to her, “The last two companies mentioned above obstructed us when we visited them during our routine checks on them. The security men at the gate attack the team from our Agency and prevented us from entering the company facility. VKS and DPL obstructed us.
”That alone was another offence which attracts another penalty before we reopen their facility for operation.
“Notice for obstructing the team and the penalty have been sent to them. Contrary to section 31 of NESREA established Act. It is an offence for Officers of the Agency to be obstructed by person or persons or by corporate body from performing his or her duties.
“It is worthy to note that beside its robust mandate, the Agency’s compliance monitoring and enforcement activities are structured and carried out based on the provisions of 33 National Environmental Regulations.’’
She said the companies ignored all the notification of concerned letters and Abatement notices issued to enable them carry out their operations in an environmental friendly and sustainable manner.
Iwobi explained that the Agency would continue to embark on nationwide enforcement exercise to end an era of gross negligence and non adherence to set standards and regulations by some industries whose activities posed serious threat to the environment.
“The level of impunity exhibited by these erring facilities must not be allowed to continue This exercise on-going process and the Agency will, without warning , go ahead to sanction any facility that falls below regulatory standards,” she said.
