By DORIS ESA

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down Cornerstone, a facility managed by Istanbul Quarry in Dutse, Abuja.

According to Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, the facility was closed on Wednesday after flying rocks from a blasting operation injured staff and students of Graceland High School and damaged school property.

Ejiofor said students were writing exams around 12:30 pm when a loud bang sent rocks flying, destroying school buildings.

Eleven students and two staff were injured, with nearby shops also affected.

Glory Uboh, NESREA’s Deputy Director of Conservation Monitoring, said the closure was necessary because the quarry violated the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.

“What happened is life threatening, that was why we had to move in immediately to seal the facility,” Uboh said.

She added, “Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, will be sanctioned because our preliminary investigation shows contradictions to quarry operating procedures and regulations.

“We will continue our investigations, and the facility will definitely be sanctioned in line with the National Environmental (Quarry and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013”. (NAN)