By BASHIR BELLO

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed a rice mill in Kano State over alleged environmental infringements.

The agency said the action followed repeated complaints from residents over the factory’s operations.

The enforcement team, led by NESREA Zonal Director, Abdulraheem Mudashir, carried out the exercise on Monday in Kano.

Mudashir said the facility violated the National Environmental Regulations on Food, Beverages and Tobacco Sector, 2009, especially provisions relating to permit conditions.

He said the infractions included dust emissions and offensive odour affecting nearby communities.

According to him, three compliance and abatement notices were previously served on the company.

He added that in spite of the notices, the facility failed to comply with required environmental standards.

“Considering Section 48 of the regulation, the company failed to prevent dust from affecting nearby communities,” he said.

Mudashir said sealing the facility would serve as a deterrent to other operators violating environmental laws.

He warned that NESREA would continue enforcement against non-compliant facilities across the country.

“Any facility that fails to comply with environmental laws, NESREA will not spare,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director of the company, Shehu Dalhatu, appealed for calm among workers.

He urged staff to cooperate with the agency to ensure full compliance with environmental regulations. (NAN)