Experts review draft environmental regulations from NESREA and others

Environmental experts have launched a review of draft national environmental regulations (permit and license systems) that aim to effectively control the activities of the community regulated by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The aim is to achieve statutory environmental objectives and outcomes, such as improving air quality, protecting the environment and avoiding exposure to waste and hazardous substances, through the issuing of environmental permits to regulated communities.

NESREA Director General Innocent Bariko said the draft policy will strike a balance between effective regulation and severe penalties for violators, while also creating an enabling environment for businesses and individuals doing business in Nigeria.

Bariko said the new policy framework will help close the identified gaps in the old regulatory document, which was published in 2009, including trends and emerging environmental issues such as climate change, marine pollution and biodiversity protection, which are a global concern. He said these factors forced the agency to seek assistance through Quick Wins of its 5-year Impact Plan from the UNEP-LEAP Small-Scale Financing Agreement (SSFA) under the Montevideo Programme to facilitate the regulatory review.

“Today’s session is not just a routine review, but a crucial opportunity to leverage the wealth of knowledge, experience and unique perspective that each of you brings as we seek to identify areas for improvement, eliminate inefficiencies and enhance the transparency and effectiveness of our regulatory practices,” the DG told gathered stakeholders at the National Environment (Permitting and Licensing Systems) SI29 2009 in Abuja yesterday.

The lead expert of the review process, Victor Ojogbo, said the new amendments will help NESREA improve its enforcement tools while bringing benefits to both the regulator and the regulated entity.

“Operators will now witness hassle-free enforcement. They will witness visible, regular monitoring by NESREA. And they will be delighted to be punished because it will be obvious that they have violated the rules. So everyone will be happy. This will be beneficial for everyone – we will put regulated entities and regulators on alert. And in the end, we will have a better environment,” said Ojogbo, also a former director of NESREA’s policy and planning department.

NESREA has set the entry into force of the new regulations for July 2024. Experts warn that it cannot impose fines and sanctions on operators to enforce its mandate.

“We want to assure our employees that we care about the environment. Some new realities in environmental practices need to be incorporated to provide an environment where Nigerians begin to understand that environmental awareness is key,” LEADERSHIP said on Friday.

In addition to effective regulation, the DG said NESREA needs more resources to enforce compliance. “This is not easy. When you’re involved in litigation, you have to get your lawyers involved and make sure that a few things are done.”

There is general agreement that NESREA must live up to its responsibilities.
Mr. Ojogbo said there should be a change in the way Nigerians think, see and behave in the environment in line with community regulations set by regulatory agencies. He admitted that the main purpose of the document is how to implement the agency’s regulations.