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NESREA Releases New Environmental Audit Guidelines

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NESREA Releases New Environmental Audit Guidelines

By: Michael Mike

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has unveiled new guidelines on environmental audit in the country.

This was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja at a workshop-cum-report release programme organized by NESREA in partnership with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a global think tank based in New Delhi, India, having in attendance over 350 participants comprising NESREA accredited consultants and staff of the agency.

According to the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, an environmental audit is a series of activities undertaken with respect to the operations of a facility or an organisation to evaluate its environmental performance, noting that it is not a one-time step but an ongoing activity that aims to identify and correct environmental issues that arise during the operation of a project and improve operating and environmental conditions in industries.

He said the review of the guidelines was necessitated by observations that existing audit reports lacked essential technical data, hindering accurate assessments of industrial performance.

Barikor while officially unveiling the Environmental Audit Guidelines and manual, said: “The Agency has observed that audit reports received from consultants come in different formats, lack important information, and in some cases they do not reflect the actual status of the process of the operating facility. Also, these reports do not adequately cover the information included in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The new guidelines are intended to streamline the processes associated with undertaking and review of the environmental audits”.

Barikor added: “This revised guideline is an outcome of the collaborative efforts between CSE and NESREA. I would like to extend my appreciation to CSE for the support they have provided to NESREA in the development of these guidelines, needed to standardize environmental audit reports in our country. Going forward the Agency will be verifying the parameters in the Audit Report submitted by consultants and will also take a decisive action against any consultant that engages in falsification, fabrication and plagiarism”

In preparing the guidelines, officials of NESREA and CSE reviewed the existing audit guidelines and the corresponding environmental audit reports from different sectors and concluded that the existing audit reports lacked technical data and information required for depicting the performance of the industries.

Speaking at the event, Ishita Garg of CSE said: “A thoroughly performed environmental audit allows industries to analyse the ambiguities in the implementation of management plans and take corrective measures. It also helps industries improve the process efficiency by optimizing the usage of resources, increasing production and thereby resulting in monetary benefits”.

She added that on the regulatory front, “a comprehensive audit report can be helpful as it will assist in assessing the compliance status of the industry and understand its environmental performance. Comparing data of two to three years can ascertain whether the performance of an industry is improving or declining.”

Garg said: “Most of the audit reports had enough of qualitative information but lacked in basic quantitative data like the production capacity, energy and water consumption, quantity of wastewater and solid waste generated. The reports also have only one-year data which makes it difficult to compare the performance of the industry with the previous years. In the absence of sufficient data, the whole audit process becomes ineffective,” she adds.

The Director, Inspection and Enforcement, NESREA, Mr. Isa Abdussalam, said: “The new guidelines are more robust, focusing on quantitative and technical data from the industries along with the information on mitigation measures taken in various sectors over the years. Apart from being of immense use for project proponents and assistance to experts in conducting audits, these guidelines would also be useful for the regulatory bodies to review the submitted audit reports.”

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is Nigeria’s foremost environmental protection and enforcement Agency. The agency has the mandate to enforce all environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards regulations in Nigeria. NESREA also has the responsibility to set standards, to prohibit processes and the use of equipment or technology that harm/ undermine the environment, and to enforce compliance with provision of international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties to which Nigeria is signatory.

NESREA Releases New Environmental Audit Guidelines

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Troops repel attack by gunmen in Plateau – Army

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Troops repel attack by gunmen in Plateau – Army

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring peace, have repelled an attack by unidentified gunmen in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources said the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on May 5 at Rim general area.

According to the source, troops deployed at the location came under sporadic gunfire from unknown assailants.

He said the troops swiftly responded and engaged the attackers, forcing them to withdraw from the area.

“Troops successfully repelled the attack, and the criminals fled,” the source said.

The source added that follow-up patrols had been intensified to track the fleeing attackers and prevent further security breaches in the area.

Troops repel attack by gunmen in Plateau – Army

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Zulum meets NPA’s mgt in Lagos, wants Borno’s export capabilities scaled up

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Zulum meets NPA’s mgt in Lagos, wants Borno’s export capabilities scaled up

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, met with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos on Tuesday during which he discussed opportunities for his state’s local creators to link into the value chain.

Zulum’s administration, since 2019, has pushed to diversify Borno’s economy while also creating a conducive environment for business and investment.

The governor, who was received by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, alongside Executive Director, Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar, had paid a similar high-level visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) last year.

At the NSC meeting, Zulum had pushed for the fast-tracking of the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port; a landmark project designed to bring port services closer to the northeast. 

Once operational, the dry port will create thousands of jobs, generate significant internal revenue and boost Borno’s overall economic activity by reducing logistics costs and decongesting coastal ports.

In a related development, Zulum’s administration is also working to fully establish the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Banki, a border town neighbouring the Republic of Cameroon, with the process already at an advanced stage.

By simultaneously advancing the Dry Inland Port in Maiduguri and the Free Trade Zone in Banki, Zulum is putting in place a coherent strategy to industrialise Borno, create jobs, generate revenue and permanently shift the state’s economy away from over-reliance on monthly federal allocations.

Zulum meets NPA’s mgt in Lagos, wants Borno’s export capabilities scaled up

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APC Backs Tegbe for Power Reforms, Cites Proven Expertise, Strategic Leadership

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APC Backs Tegbe for Power Reforms, Cites Proven Expertise, Strategic Leadership

By: Michael Mike

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has hailed the nomination of Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Nigeria’s Minister of Power, describing it as a timely move amid the country’s persistent electricity challenges.

In a statement issued in Ibadan, the party’s state leadership said Tegbe’s selection reflects both merit and the urgent need for competent leadership in the nation’s power sector.

The statement, jointly signed by State Chairman Chief Moses Adeyemo Alake and State Secretary Hon. Fatai Adesina, expressed strong confidence in Tegbe’s ability to drive meaningful reforms, citing his extensive professional background and policy experience.

Tegbe, an engineer and seasoned policy strategist, brings over three decades of experience spanning engineering, consulting, and public sector advisory.

He previously served as Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, where he coordinated bilateral development initiatives and investment engagements between both countries.

He also chaired the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, playing a key role in advancing Nigeria’s fiscal reform agenda and strengthening revenue frameworks.

Before transitioning fully into public service, Tegbe built a distinguished career at KPMG, rising to become Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services in Africa. In that role, he led major engagements on governance reforms, economic policy, institutional transformation, and investment strategy across both public and private sectors.

Earlier in his career, he worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company, gaining experience in corporate operations and resource management.

Academically, Tegbe holds a first-class degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University and has attended executive programmes at globally renowned institutions including Harvard and INSEAD, further reinforcing his technical and leadership credentials.

The APC noted that this blend of technical expertise and policy leadership positions him to tackle longstanding challenges in power generation, transmission, and distribution.

“The APC in Oyo State is confident that Chief Tegbe will bring innovation, efficiency, and sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s power sector. His history of performance and commitment to service positions him to make meaningful contributions to national development,” the statement read.

The party emphasized that Nigeria is at a critical stage where strategic direction is essential to unlock sustainable energy solutions, noting that Tegbe’s leadership could help reposition the sector for improved performance.

It added that the APC in Oyo would offer its full support while maintaining constructive engagement with the minister-designate and other stakeholders to ensure progress.

The statement also acknowledged Tegbe’s longstanding contributions to the growth of the party in the state, expressing optimism that his new role would further deepen his commitment to national development.

The APC wished him a successful tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would mark a significant shift toward stable and reliable electricity supply across the country.

APC Backs Tegbe for Power Reforms, Cites Proven Expertise, Strategic Leadership

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