Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Sixteen organisations have emerged victorious at the maiden National Environmental Compliance Award (NECA) for their voluntary compliance to environmental standards, rules and regulations.
The Awards organised by National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) took place in Abuja.
Presenting the Awards, President Muhammadu Buhari restated the commitment of his administration to a healthy environment for all citizens.
A press release from NESREA, signed by Assistant Director, Press and Protocol, Adeleke W. Adebayo said the President represented by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari announced the elevation of NECA to a Presidential Award in order to” underscore the importance of our environment, its sustainability and because of the belief that a healthy and sustainable environment can improve the security of our country in the face of global security challenges triggered by the impact of climate change on livelihoods, employment, food systems and agricultural land”.
President Buhari pledged his continued support for the Federal Ministry of Environment and NESREA to tackle environmental problems in the country, while urging Governors and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Agency.
“The agency and ministry are encouraged to persevere and continue to work in the set direction knowing that the work of the agency is indispensable within the context of the local and global climate change initiatives and architecture.
He praised the recipients of the awards and urged other industries to emulate the exemplary performance of these awardees.
Earlier in his address, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Barr. Mohammed H. Abdullahi said the awardees who cut across different sectors were selected through a standard process.
He commended the President for elevating the status of the award, and proposed the conferment of a lifetime award of the patron of the National Environmental Compliance Award on President Buhari in recognition of his environmental enforcement efforts while serving as Head of State during the military era and as democratically elected President.
In his welcome address, the Director General of NESREA, Prof Aliyu Jauro said between 2019 and 2022, the Agency has undertaken compliance monitoring to more than 10,000 corporate facilities, out of which over 260 facilities were sealed for various offences.
He disclosed that the selection of the awardees was made with regards to Environmental Documentations such as Permits, Environmental Audit and the level of Corporate Social Responsibility activities carried out by the selected facilities.
LIST OF AWARDEES
- UAC Foods PLC, Lagos State
- Grand Cereals Limited, Plateau State
- Zartech Farm, Oyo State
- Chi Limited, Lagos State
- Nigerian Breweries PLC, Enugu State
- Nigerian Breweries PLC, Lagos State
- Notore Chemical Industries PLC, Rivers State
- W.J. Bush and Company Nigeria Limited, Kano State
- Inter Color Paint Industry, Enugu State
- Viva Metal & Plastic Industries Ltd, Kano State
- Royal Foam Products Nigeria Ltd., Kano State
- Mamuda Industries Limited, Kano State
- Emenite Limited, Enugu State
- Mother Cat Quarry, Katsina State
- IHS Nigeria Ltd., Lagos State
- ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Ltd, Lagos State
