NESREA Seals Sunseed Oil Facility Over Air Pollution

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has taken decisive action against Sunseed Oil’s facility in Zaria, Kaduna State, sealing the plant over environmental concerns.

This move follows reports of persistent air pollution caused by excessive emissions, violating the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations.

According to a statement by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor, the facility’s emissions posed an immediate threat to the surrounding ecosystem and nearby residents’ health, prompting the agency’s swift action. NESREA Director General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, warned industrial operators to comply with national environmental regulations, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to protecting citizens’ health and the environment.

The enforcement action aligns with NESREA’s intensified efforts to combat environmental degradation, particularly in industrial clusters near residential areas. The agency mandates industries to install pollution control equipment, adopt cleaner technologies, and monitor emissions to ensure compliance with permissible limits.

Excessive industrial air emissions have raised concerns in Nigeria, contributing to respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation. NESREA’s actions aim to hold industries accountable, with sanctions, fines, and prosecution for non-compliance.