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NESREA Releases New Environmental Audit Guidelines
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
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Kamuru village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the arrest was made at about 0330 hours on May 12 during a coordinated operation in the area.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Husaini Jibrin, 45, was reportedly apprehended at Kamuru village over alleged involvement in a kidnapping incident that occurred in Angwan Ali community on April 26, 2026, within the same local government area.
According to the sources, the suspect is believed to be linked to the planning and execution of the abduction, which had triggered security concerns in surrounding communities at the time.
Items recovered from the suspect include one mobile phone and the sum of ₦10,000 in cash.
The military said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks operating in the region.
Authorities added that troops have intensified surveillance and patrol operations across vulnerable communities in southern Kaduna to curb criminal activities and improve public safety.
Operation Enduring Peace continues to conduct joint operations with local security outfits and community-based structures as part of efforts to address insecurity in affected areas.
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash
Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have repelled an armed attack on an isolated settlement in Vwang Kagot community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, in an incident that left two civilians dead.
Security sources said the troops responded swiftly at about 0130 hours on May 12 following reports of an attack by suspected armed assailants on the rural community.
The attackers, reportedly described as suspected armed herdsmen, stormed the settlement and engaged in violent activities before the arrival of security forces.
Upon intervention, troops in collaboration with Keystone Kuru Division forced the assailants to withdraw from the area.
However, the attackers had already killed two residents identified as Ngo Shetu Badung, 78, and Mr. Danjuma Badung, 52, before fleeing the scene.
Following the incident, troops launched clearance operations in the general area and are currently trailing the fleeing suspects.
Military authorities said additional patrols and surveillance measures have been intensified to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.
Operation Enduring Peace noted that it remains committed to stabilising vulnerable communities across Plateau State and ensuring that perpetrators of violent attacks are brought to justice.
Local security stakeholders have also continued engagements with community leaders to strengthen early warning systems and improve response to emerging threats in rural settlements.
Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt
NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched new WhatsApp and live chat support channels to improve customer service and ease access to National Identification Number (NIN) enquiries for Nigerians and legal residents.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission said the initiative forms part of its ongoing digital transformation and service reform agenda under the leadership of Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
According to NIMC, the newly introduced platforms are designed to provide faster, more convenient and real-time support services to the public, while reducing the need for physical visits to its offices.
The Commission stated that users can now access support through the live chat feature on its official website, NIMC Official Website, as well as through its official WhatsApp support line at +234 701 566 6971.
NIMC noted that the move aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to improve efficiency in public service delivery through technology-driven solutions.
The Commission explained that the platforms would offer prompt responses to enquiries, real-time guidance, and verified information relating to NIN services and identity management matters.
It added that the reforms being championed by Coker-Odusote are aimed at expanding access to identity services, strengthening public confidence, and enhancing operational efficiency across the Commission’s activities.
NIMC also urged Nigerians and legal residents to utilise only its official communication channels and remain vigilant against misinformation and fraudulent activities.
NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash
Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt
NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support
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