The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down the Sunseed Oil processing facility in Zaria, Kaduna State, over persistent and excessive air emissions that posed serious environmental and public health risks.
The enforcement action followed reports and investigations confirming that the facility was operating in flagrant violation of the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations.
According to NESREA, “the company failed to install and operate appropriate pollution abatement equipment and did not adopt cleaner production practices as required by law. The level of air pollution from the facility constituted an immediate threat to the surrounding ecosystem and the health of residents in nearby communities, prompting the agency to order the immediate closure of the plant.”
In a statement, NESREA reaffirmed that the action aligns with its mandate to enforce environmental laws and safeguard the public from the hazardous effects of unregulated industrial discharges, including air pollutants and effluents.
The Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, warned industrial operators across the country to ensure full compliance with national environmental regulations.
He emphasised that the agency would not hesitate to take decisive action against facilities whose operations endanger citizens and degrade the environment.
Prof. Barikor stressed that environmental compliance is not optional, noting that industries must prioritise the health of Nigerians and the protection of natural ecosystems by adopting approved pollution control measures.
NESREA reiterated its commitment to sustained monitoring and enforcement to ensure that industrial activities across Nigeria adhere strictly to environmental standards.