A sweeping enforcement operation in Abuja has brought activities to a standstill at over 20 sites, including well-known estates and quarry firms, following widespread noncompliance with environmental protocols.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) took decisive action, locking down multiple locations in the Federal Capital Territory after repeated attempts to get the affected organizations to adhere to environmental safeguards.
Speaking during a field inspection, NESREA’s head, Professor Innocent Barikor, said the intervention was long overdue. “This isn’t about punitive measures, it’s about enforcing environmental responsibility and preserving our ecosystems for future generations,” he said.
Among the issues flagged were the absence of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and unauthorized developments on flood-prone and ecologically sensitive zones.
These violations, NESREA said, are especially rampant in the booming real estate sector, which continues to expand with little regard for regulatory frameworks.
The closures were a response to growing public outcry over unregulated construction and aggressive excavation that have been linked to rising cases of flooding, erosion, and land degradation across the capital.
Notable names on the shutdown list include:
White Avenue Real Estate, Ochacho Real Homes, Mab Global Estate, CCECC-FIRS, Belmont Court, Tayyib Homes, Anarock Global Services, and others.
Also affected were quarry operators accused of exceeding legal excavation limits. According to Elijah Udofia, NESREA’s Director of Environmental Quality Control, some had dug up to 25 metres deep, well beyond the legal limit of three metres thereby endangering surrounding communities and landscapes.
Udofia stressed that prior to enforcement, NESREA had sent notices and provided ample time for the companies to regularize their operations. Most, however, failed to respond.
The agency reiterated its resolve to uphold environmental standards and warned that similar actions will continue wherever compliance is ignored.
“Environmental negligence is not just a bureaucratic issue, it’s a threat to life, property, and the long-term sustainability of our urban spaces,” Barikor noted.
