The director-general of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof Aliyu Jauro has threatened to jail owners of faulty vehicles and generators that cause air pollution, for their failure to fix the mechanical problems.
Jauro, who stated this in Abuja yesterday at the first virtual induction workshop for newly accredited Environmental Consultants, pointed out that the owners would also be barred from using the vehicle/generator, could be given an option of fine or a combination of jail and fine depending on the gravity of the offense.
The DG disclosed that the agency would monitor emissions from mobile (vehicles) and stationery (generators) sources and ensure that the owners complied with the stipulated environmental guidelines.
He maintained that plans are underway to launch the National Vehicular Emission Control Programme (NVECP) and the National Generator Emission Control Programme (NGECP), meant to address air pollution.
Jauro further vowed to deregister and withdraw the license of consultants involved in poor inspection of environmental facilitates across the States.
According to him, “Your role is to provide independent, credible and objective verification of information on facilities, with respect to their activities and impact on the environment in line with extant regulations.”
He encouraged the inductees to be committed and assist in enforcing the compliance of environmental laws as well as promote good environmental governance in Nigeria.
The DG pointed out that NESREA is ready to partner with them in fulfilling one of its role as environmental adviser, adding that they should encourage their clients to adopt environmental best practices.
Jauro stated that sensitisation is key to voluntary compliance of environmental laws, promising to facilitate a cleaner and healthier environment for Nigerians in collaboration with stakeholders.