The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has revealed that it sealed Bond Chemicals Industries Ltd in Oyo over violations of national environmental regulations involving the discharge of untreated industrial waste.

The enforcement action was disclosed in a recent statement by the agency’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor, following verified public complaints about the release of wastewater with a strong offensive odour from the facility.

According to NESREA, a compliance inspection carried out on February 18 revealed that the factory lacked a functional effluent treatment plant, which is a critical requirement for managing industrial waste.

NESREA revealed that the company was discharging untreated wastewater directly into the environment, in violation of national environmental standards in the state.

The facility had earlier been notified of the infractions and directed to immediately stop the pollution, install and operate an effluent treatment system, and obtain the necessary regulatory permits. However, a follow-up inspection showed that the company failed to comply with these directives.

“As a result, NESREA, in exercise of its statutory mandate, sealed the facility to prevent further environmental degradation and to safeguard public health,” the statement said.

The Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, reiterated that industries must adhere strictly to environmental regulations, including the installation and proper operation of pollution control equipment.

NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, who dropped the hint yesterday in a statement, said the enforcement action followed a public complaint, which was corroborated by independent verification, regarding the discharge of untreated effluent into the environment.

According to her, the company was discharging untreated wastewater with offensive odour directly into the environment, in contravention of applicable environmental standards and regulations.

Ejiofor noted: “Following the inspection, the facility was duly notified and issued directives to immediately abate the environmental nuisance by installing and operating an effluent treatment system in line with regulatory requirements, and also to obtain the required permits.”

The development highlights NESREA’s ongoing crackdown on environmental violations across the country.

In recent months, the agency has shut down multiple facilities for offences ranging from failure to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments to operating without functional waste treatment systems.

NESREA said it remains committed to protecting public health and the environment by ensuring that all industrial operators comply with established environmental standards.

Source: NAN