FG Assures Of Proper Sites Decommissioning To Safeguard Public Health

The Nigerian government says it will continue to ensure that projects sites are properly decommissioned for effective remediation strategies to safeguard the health of citizens as well as protecting biodiversity.

Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal stated this at a workshop on Decommissioning Plan and Environmental Remediation Strategies held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The Minister said, the government will continue to build a future where industrial growth is balanced with environmental protection as well as ensuring a safe and sustainable Nigeria for generations to come.

“Decommissioning and remediation are critical aspects of sustainable resource management. Nigeria like many nations, faces challenges in the areas of regulatory compliance, capacity building and the availability of advanced technologies for decommissioning and remediation.

“However, these challenges also present opportunities. by investing in training and fostering collaborations among stakeholders, we can build a robust framework that ensures best practices are adopted and enforced,” he said.

Mr Balarabe noted that the workshop is not just timely, but crucial to environmental sustainability.

“This workshop is therefore designed to enhance the technical expertise of participants in Evaluating decommissioning plans and environmental remediation strategies, to promote compliance with national and international environmental standards, guidelines and to provide a platform for knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices among industry professionals, regulators, and other stakeholders,” he stated.

He emphasised that the workshop represents an important step toward ensuring that industrial activities in Nigeria align with the highest standards of environmental protection and sustainability.

The Minister, stressed that over the years Nigeria have witnessed poorly managed decommissioning and remediation efforts leading to long-term environmental damage, public health crises and substantial economic costs.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment recognizes the invaluable contributions of agencies like the National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in enforcing environmental regulations, promoting best practices and fostering a culture of accountability among industries operating within our borders as well as the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP) for remediation and cleanup of the Niger Delta region.

“Today’s workshop underscores the dedication of such agencies to capacity building and knowledge enhancement which are critical to the effective implementation of their mandates,” the Minister added.

Director General of NESREA Dr Innocent Barikor, says decommissioning industrial facilities is an integral part of the Agency regulatory oversight.

According to him, “This process goes beyond the cessation of operations, it involves managing environmental risks, ensuring safe disposal of waste, mitigating hazards, and remediating sites to protect public health and enable sustainable post-decommissioning uses.”

Dr Barikor said that the workshop is designed to NESREA staff, with the tools to effectively evaluate and oversee these processes, ensuring they align with both national regulations and international best practices.

He said, “Today’s training will focus on enhancing your understanding of critical components of decommissioning plans, from waste management and hazard containment to environmental remediation and compliance with regulatory standards.

“By the end of this workshop, you will be better equipped to review, approve, and enforce decommissioning plans that not only meet legal requirements but also reflect NESREA’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

“As a regulator, our effectiveness depends on the strength of our knowledge base, the clarity of our processes, and our ability to adapt to evolving environmental challenges,This workshop represents an important opportunity to refine these attributes and to ensure that NESREA remains at the forefront of environmental protection in Nigeria,” he added.

In a paper presentation, the EU Consultant and facilitator for the programme, Agharese Onag, pointed out that the “Plan’’ must include a robust stakeholder engagement strategy, considering the specific social and political context of Nigeria.

The workshop is aimed at enhancing understanding of critical components of decommissioning plans, from waste management and hazard containment to environmental remediation in compliance with regulatory standards.