By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on Wednesday shut down 21 facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for violating environmental laws.

Among the affected projects are Ochacho Real Homes Limited, Idu; Cosgrove Shopping Mall Project, Wuse II; Belmont Court, Idu; and several others across key districts in the capital.

Speaking to journalists, NESREA Director General, Prof. Innocent Barikor said many of the facilities failed to carry out Environmental Impact Assessments before commencing work, as required by law.

He said, “The negative impact of the construction and quarrying activities within FCT has led to public outcry by the host communities where these facilities exist. In addition, the environment is exposed to various forms of environmental degradation and disaster such as flooding, erosions, burrow pits.

“The construction sector has continued to deviate from the provisions of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011 and the Environmental Impacts Assessment Act.

“There were many public complaints against these facilities and officials of NESREA carried out investigation, after which notices of compliance concerns were issued to these facilities. However, they failed to adhere to the provisions of the environmental laws, hence the Action by the Agency,” He stated.

The sealed facilities include: White Avenue Real Estate, Lugbe, CCECC – FIRS, Abuja, Mo Mouna Construction, Katampe, Practis Project, Abuja, Belmont Court, Idu, Istrom Construction, Abuja, Mab Global Estate, Idu, Ochacho Real Homes Limited, Idu, Constrix, Idu, Anarock Global Services Limited, Abuja, Quali Trends Nigerian Limited, Abuja, Boked International Limited, Abuja, CCECC, Central Business District, Tim Tali Transport Limited, Abuja, Matilda Rozi Limited, Abuja, Efedi Homes, Kukwaba District, T’lon Construction and Facilities Management, Abuja, Cosgrove Shopping Mall Project, Wuse II, Cosgrove Estate, Central Business District, Tayyib Homes Limited, Lugbe, and Contrix Cube, Katampe.