By Faridat Salifu
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has stressed the importance of sustainable resource management to achieve robust decommissioning and environmental remediation strategies to safeguard Nigeria’s future.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 22, at the opening of a training workshop held in abuja on the review of decommissioning plans and environmental remediation strategies, Lawal underscored the country’s commitment to environmental protection as industrial activities continue to expand.
The workshop, which brought together key stakeholders from regulatory agencies, industry professionals, and experts, was held to address critical challenges facing Nigeria in the areas of decommissioning and remediation.
According to the minister , Nigeria faces challenges such as regulatory compliance, capacity building, and access to advanced technologies for effective remediation.
However, he emphasized that these challenges also offer opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, which are vital for developing a robust framework for environmental sustainability.
“We must ensure that industrial activities in Nigeria align with the highest standards of environmental protection,” Lawal said, stressing that effective decommissioning and remediation are essential to protecting both public health and biodiversity.
He also warned of the long-term economic and environmental costs of poorly managed decommissioning efforts.
The minister acknowledged the pivotal roles of agencies such as the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), which are leading the charge in enforcing environmental standards and cleaning up affected areas, particularly in the Niger Delta.
Lawal outlined the key objectives of the workshop, which include enhancing technical expertise in decommissioning and remediation, promoting compliance with both national and international environmental standards, and fostering a platform for the exchange of best practices.
He urged participants, especially NESREA staff, to engage fully with the training to improve their professional capabilities and contribute to a sustainable Nigeria.
