By Matthew Abi
#TrackNigeria- The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Professor Aliyu Jauro, has warned all violators of environmental acts to conform with the provision of the agency’s laws or
Professor Jauro, the newly appointed Director General who gave the warning at a press briefing on the amendment of the NESREA establishment act, 2018 held in Abuja, stated the agency’s commitment towards combating every form of violation of the amended Act of the environmental laws in the country.
Speaking on the amended Act which he said was passed into law by the National Assembly and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, he noted that the major variations to the law include; the addition of “the Federal Ministry of Health , the empowerment of the agency to establish and enforce administrative penalties.
Others are; the amendment of section 30 of the Principal Act which was a major impediment in the enforcement drive of the agency and the replacement of the ‘not exceeding’ with the ‘not less than’, which will grant judges the autonomy to issue out appropriate sanctions to erring facility or person, as well as the issues on wrong cross-referencing of cases of violation.
The new DG, further explained that the above mentioned amendments would address various ambiguities and inconsistencies that have impeded the smooth running of the agency, and enable the general public to, “familiarize with the new environmental laws to international standards, ensure proper and sound disposal of waste, obtain relevant permit and licences, Environmental Import Statement/Certificates from the Fed. Min. Of Health, observe proper use of environmental sound technologies and subscribe to the Extended Producer Responsibilty, EPR.”
He then warned individuals and entities to desist from violation of environmental laws, adding that the agency is set to take necessary action on offenders.
“Protecting the environment is a task that we should all defer to; the environment is you and me and it is part of NESREA’s mandate to ensure clean and clear environment that is why we have programmes like the NGCEP and EPR.
“My message to all violators is to get ready for necessary action by NESREA. Though the agency was a toothless bulldog but it will no longer be business as usual, he said.