Abuja: The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has taken decisive action by shutting down 25 facilities across Anambra, Enugu, Bayelsa, and Rivers states due to non-compliance with environmental regulations.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA's Assistant Director (Press), announced in a statement that the affected facilities span various sectors and were closed for committing environmental infractions. These violations include the failure to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments prior to project initiation, neglecting Environmental Audits, and the absence of functional effluent treatment plants, among other issues.

The facilities sealed by NESREA include Rugal Pharmaceutical, located in Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu, China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) at Owo yard, Enugu, Hardis and Dromedas in Umunya, Anambra State, and Pinnatech Engi Asphalt Plant in Awkuzu, Anambra. Additional closures were executed at China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) on Obogoro Road, Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, Megastar Technical and Construction Company Limited on Imiringi Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, and Multi Plan Nigeria Ltd. in Okuru-Ama, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Prof. Innocent Barikor, the Director-General of NESREA, emphasized the importance of adherence to environmental laws by facility operators. Barikor stated that the agency will persist in conducting enforcement operations to protect the environment and to serve as a deterrent to those who violate environmental standards.