In response to the Federal Government’s environmental regulatory compliance, officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have sealed an ethanol company based in Benue State for lack of environmental compliance as stipulated by law. According to a statement issued by Amaka Okafor, Assistant Director of Press and Public Relationships of NESREA, a combined team of officials and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command executed the operation on April 17, 2023.
Amaka Okafor, said that the facility belonged to Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited, which was situated along Gboko Road, Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The company was found guilty of poor environmental breaches for discharging untreated effluent into water bodies, thereby endangering human lives and the environment. They were also flouting extant environmental laws and standards. The assistant director explained that the company, which specializes in ethanol production, belongs to the chemical and pharmaceutical sector and uses cassava as its raw material.
The facility had no effluent treatment plant, a violation of the law.
She revealed that this production of ethanol using cassava is a wet process that requires the installation of a functional Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). The plant would ensure that waste from these processes is well-treated before being discharged into the environment. However, the company had made provisions for none at the facility. “The non-availability of the ETP is in clear violations of the provisions of the National Environmental (Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Industries) Regulations 2009 S.I No.36 and National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations 2009 S.I No.28,” Amaka said.
NESREA’s statement further revealed that in March 2023, the NESREA-accredited facility consultant carried out an Environmental Compliance Monitoring (ECM), and the Report of the Effluent analyzed by the consultant was submitted to the NESREA Field Office Makurdi on April 16, 2023. Most of the parameters analyzed from the effluent were above NESREA’s permissible level as provided under the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations 2009 S.I N0.28. The facility had earlier been issued notices of compliance concerns to halt production until a functional ETP is fully installed, but it failed to comply.
Agency seals the facility to avoid endangering lives.
To avoid further endangering of lives of residents who use water from the river for their basic household needs, NESREA moved in and sealed the facility. This is in conformity with the provisions of the NESREA Act 2007 (as Amended), which allows the agency to carry out such enforcement activity in situations where it becomes advantageous and necessary to halt an action posing imminent danger to human life, animals and the environment. In addition to not having an ETP, the facility also operated without an Environmental Impact Statement.
Thus, the company did not complete the process of conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before commencement of its operation which contravenes the EIA Act CAP. E12 of LFN, 2004. More so, the facility operated without relevant Environmental Permits contrary to the National Environmental (Permitting and Licensing System) Regulations 2009 S.I N0.29. Because of this, the premises remain sealed while investigations continue. At the conclusion of the investigations, the appropriate sanctions will be meted out on the company, says the statement.
Effluent-disturbed environment is not uncommon in Nigeria.
The statement concludes, “The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro reminds facilities that compliance with laid-down environmental laws is a must for any company operating in the country, as the agency is fully determined to ensure that non-compliant facilities are made to face the full wrath of the law.” This kind of environmental pollution from effluent is not uncommon in Nigeria. Several communities and associations (especially fishery associations) have taken to the media to air their disapproval for the degradation caused by effluent to their livelihoods.
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NESREA seals Ethanol plant in Benue State. – The company was closed for lack of environmental compliance. – Express your point of view.
If the ethanol plant where it is established doesn’t have the required licence to operate then they should be locked. This is whey there is need for us to have regulators that regulates businesses.
The NESREA’s actions in sealing the ethanol plant in Benue State are a positive development, but continued efforts are needed to ensure that environmental regulations are enforced and that companies in Nigeria are committed to protecting the environment.
NESREA has taken a good step in sealing the Ethanol Benue state plant for lack of adequate Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). I will believe there are more companies like this that lack this equipment yet manufacture different consumables. Government should take quick action in climping down on such kind of companies.
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) are doing a good job. More of such kind of Ethanol producing company flouting the law and discharging affluent into the water bodies should be apprehended. Thorough inspection should be made in all these company for the presence of Effluent Treatment Plant in their facilities.
It is absurd that the same company that specializes in the manufacturing of ethanol also operates in drug production and utilizes cassava as one of its primary sources of raw material.
It’s good that the agency seems keen to make an example out of any business that doesn’t follow the rules, so I think it’s imperative that all domestic enterprises adhere to environmental regulations.
In point of fact, I am of the opinion that ongoing efforts are required in order to guarantee that ecological norms are enforced across the nation and that businesses there have a dedication to the preservation of the natural environment.
It’s ridiculous that an identical corporation that makes ethanol also makes drugs and uses cassava as a main ingredient in both industries.
NASERA move is justifiable since the company has failed to complied with the government’s slated protocol and standards. This will send a strong deterrent message to other companies operating in the sane way and secure our environment.
It should be close since they lack environment compliance they are not following the rules been lay down they should be punished for their wrong act
NESREA seals Ethanol plant in Benue State. If they did not meet up with the company requirement. They should close because will need good quality companies in Nigeria
The production companies that produces most of the things we consume in the country seriously need regulation because many people have died through unhealthy production of those products.