NESREA DG pledges Act amendment, stronger environmental regulations

By Idu Jude, Abuja

The Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, has reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to amending its 19-year-old Establishment Act and introducing new regulations aligned with international best practices.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Barikor disclosed that due to financial constraints, NESREA plans to restructure its state liaison offices while partnering with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enhance public sensitization efforts.

Reiterating the agency’s firm stance against environmental infractions, the DG emphasized NESREA’s ongoing crackdown on non-compliant facilities. “In 2024, the agency sealed off 96 recalcitrant facilities across different states and the FCT for various environmental violations. NESREA will continue to take decisive action against such facilities as long as they fail to comply with environmental standards,” he stated.

Dr. Barikor further revealed that NESREA will soon publicly disclose the names of facilities that have illegally broken seals placed by its enforcement team. “These violations have been recorded in Katsina and Abuja, and the responsible facilities will face strict consequences,” he added.

Highlighting recent achievements, the DG noted that NESREA has made significant progress in regulating previously unmonitored sectors. With support from development partners, particularly the German government, the agency has successfully developed and gazetted the National Battery Sector Control Regulations 2024.

“This regulation governs the handling of used batteries and addresses all associated environmental concerns.

It also ensures that recycling contributes significantly to the development of a circular economy,” Dr. Barikor explained. He emphasized NESREA’s continued promotion of circular economy principles through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme.

The agency has already commenced implementation of EPR in the food and beverage, electrical, and electronics sectors. “Batteries, used tires, and soon, plastic waste will be included. An unregulated environment bears the consequences of weak oversight. With the rise of electric vehicles, we must ask: what happens to discarded batteries, used tires, and plastics?” he queried.

To enhance enforcement and environmental management, NESREA has conducted a series of sensitization and capacity-building workshops in collaboration with the European Union. These initiatives have engaged key sectors, including the judiciary, media, and construction industries.

“Staff development remains a top priority because it directly impacts efficiency and productivity. We are working with partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Africa Nature Investors, the EU, USAID, and the Center for Environment India, among others, to provide specialized training for our personnel,” Dr. Barikor said.

In wildlife conservation efforts, NESREA has intensified its fight against illegal trade. The agency has seized over 2.5 tons of ivory and 3,941.08 kilograms of pangolin scales, which were repurposed into a six-foot elephant structure symbolizing Nigeria’s zero tolerance for wildlife trafficking.

Dr. Barikor announced that NESREA will introduce new regulations in 2025, focusing on facility decarbonization and the decommissioning of moribund government installations. These measures aim to further strengthen environmental governance and enhance regulatory compliance across various sectors.

“Our commitment is unwavering. We will continue to refine and enforce regulations that protect the environment and public health,” he affirmed.

With these initiatives, NESREA remains at the forefront of driving sustainable environmental policies, ensuring that Nigeria aligns with global best practices in environmental management and sustainability.