16 organisations have received the National Environmental Compliance Award 2022 from President Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of their effective voluntary adherence to environmental standards, laws, and regulations.
This was said in a statement made on Thursday in Abuja by Mr. Adeleke Adebayo, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Protocol at the National Environmental Standards Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
During the inaugural National Environmental Compliance Awards ceremony, Buhari presented the organisations with their awards (NECA).
According to the President, who was represented by his chief of staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, his administration is dedicated to ensuring a healthy environment for all citizens.
To emphasise the value of the environment and its sustainability, he announced the promotion of NECA to a presidential award.
However, in the face of international security issues brought on by the effects of climate change on lives, employment, food systems, and agricultural land, a healthy and sustainable environment can increase the security of the nation.
He promised to keep helping the Ministry of Environment and NESREA address environmental issues in the nation.
Governors and other key stakeholders were asked by Buhari to work with the agency to ensure that its programmes are implemented successfully.
“NESREA and the ministry are encouraged to persist and carry on working in the designated direction, understanding that the agency’s work is essential within the context of the local and global climate change initiatives.”
He commended the winners of the prizes for their dedication to upholding the agency’s rules and regulations.
“I beg you to emulate the excellent results of these recipients,” he said to those industries that have not yet reached the award level.
“By achieving this, raising the bar of achievement, we shall have reason to applaud you in equal amount, if not more, by next year.”
Earlier, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, the Minister of Environment, claimed that a standardised procedure was used to choose the honorees, who represent a variety of industries.
Abdullahi praised the President for improving the award’s standing.
In acknowledgment of President Buhari’s efforts to enforce environmental laws while serving as Head of State and as elected president, he suggested giving him a lifetime achievement award.
Additionally, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director-General of NESREA, stated that between 2019 and 2022, the organisation had carried out compliance monitoring at more than 10,000 corporate premises.
Out of the 10,000, approximately 260 establishments, according to Jauro, have been sealed for a variety of offences.
He claimed that the level of CSR activities carried out by the chosen organisations as well as environmental documentations like permits and environmental audits were taken into consideration when choosing the recipients.
