The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency on Monday sealed about eight facilities in Umuahia, the state capital, over alleged non-compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment regulations.
The affected facilities include Pros P and Nova Heaven Apartment Hotels, Amakama; Rich Vision Water; Confidence Hotels; and Waveron Gas on Bende Road.
Others are Delatinos Event Centre, Hilltop Hotels and Bar, among others.
Explaining the action, the General Manager of ASEPA, Mr Ogbonnia Okereke, said the enforcement followed court orders.
Okereke, who spoke through the agency’s Head of Monitoring and Revenue, Mr Okpara Macauley, condemned the practice of operating facilities without obtaining the required Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Evaluation reports, as well as improper waste disposal practices.
He advised operators of hotels, eateries and other businesses to ensure strict compliance with environmental regulations by securing all necessary approvals before commencing operations.
According to him, failure to comply with environmental laws attracts penalties in line with extant regulations.
Speaking on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting, the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said ASEPA had continued to discharge its mandate of protecting the environment in the state.
“In this connection, ASEPA has continued to manage, monitor and enforce proper environmental practices and standards for businesses and industries in the state,” he said.
Kanu added that the agency would continue to seal facilities found violating environmental standards until they comply with the required regulations.
He further disclosed that the state had commenced the full implementation and enforcement of the use of waste bins in all commercial vehicles for passengers’ use.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting cleanliness and improving environmental sanitation across the state.
“Therefore, Abia State today is regarded as one of the cleanest states in the country,” he added.
Read the full article here
