By Samuel Adeola
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed Dai Jin Jia Investment Limited quarry in Abuja’s ACO Estate over “incessant and unregulated blasting” that damaged properties and endangered lives.
NESREA Director General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, said the action followed protests by residents, who blocked the Chinese company’s site on July 19. Investigations confirmed violations including “ground vibration, flying rocks, noise and air pollution,” breaching the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
“The Charge Loading Density of 4,000kg explosives used by the facility exceeded the approved 3,000kg per blast, and the 14m blasting hole depth was above the 8–10m limit,” Barikor said.
Thirteen other facilities were sealed across the FCT. These include Ibiza Nite Club and De Hive Night Club for noise pollution above permitted levels, despite three compliance notices. Ten others, including Shaanxi Construction Airport Road, Clover Court Mabushi, and H Medix Building Wuye, were shut for lacking mandatory environmental documents.
ACO Estate chairman Sunny Kulutuye hailed NESREA’s swift action: “We are very happy with the prompt response, and we hope the action will be sustained so that the activities from the site will no longer damage our properties.”
Barikor warned that NESREA remains firm on enforcing environmental standards: “Facilities must abide by the laws to protect the environment and residents.”
