The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has warned Nigerians that dropping refuse, including a recharge card, on the ground risks a minimum of six months imprisonment or a N20,000 fine. This penalty is contained in the agency’s sanitation and waste control regulation. NESREA State Coordinator, Kaduna, Mr Hena Emmanuel-Dangari, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
According to Emmanuel-Dangari, organisations could face higher penalties for environmental violations. He stated that NESREA has 36 gazetted regulations covering various sectors of the economy, with specific penalties prescribed for different violations. The agency has been operating in Kaduna since 2013, regulating environmental activities and promoting compliance with environmental standards.
NESREA’s priority is to encourage Nigerians to voluntarily comply with environmental regulations rather than wait for enforcement and penalties. Emmanuel-Dangari said, “What NESREA is trying to tell us is that we need to have a change in attitude. It is not just about paying penalties. NESREA prefers you to be self-compliant.” He emphasized that if all Nigerians can change their attitude and behaviour, that will make their environment a better place for everyone.
The Kaduna Field Office of NESREA has undertaken sensitisation, enforcement and sealing of facilities belonging to defaulters who violated environmental regulations. Emmanuel-Dangari said NESREA collaborated with faith-based organisations, markets, civil society groups, sister agencies and other stakeholders to promote proper waste disposal.
NESREA regularly visits mosques, churches and markets to sensitise residents on environmental regulations. According to Emmanuel-Dangari, Thursdays have been designated for sensitisation activities by NESREA field offices and the headquarters. The agency has also collaborated with the Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) on several occasions to sensitise residents on environmental cleanliness and proper waste disposal.
Emmanuel-Dangari appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with the government and promote environmental awareness among children, youths and adults. He stated that collective compliance with environmental regulations would contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment across the country.
The NESREA State Coordinator urged Nigerians to take responsibility for their environment and make it a better place for everyone. He encouraged residents to report environmental offenders to NESREA and promised that the agency would take necessary actions to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Key points
- Anyone who drops refuse on the ground risks a minimum of six months imprisonment or a N20,000 fine.
- NESREA has 36 gazetted regulations covering various sectors of the economy.
- The agency prioritizes encouraging voluntary compliance with environmental regulations.
