HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT VISITS NESREA

The  House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Monday paid a visit to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement, NESREA as part of their oversight functions.

The Committee led by its Chairman, Hon. Johnson Egwakhide Oghuma was received on arrival by the Director General of NESREA, Prof Aliyu Jauro and top management of the Agency.

Professor Jauro briefed the lawmakers on the activities of the Agency and its budget performance.

He listed some of the challenges facing the Agency which include lack of a befitting headquarters, inadequate budgeting and funding, lack of operational vehicles and basic equipment to facilitate the Agency’s compliance monitoring and enforcement activities.

The Director General also told the committee that most of the equipment in the two Reference Laboratories operated by the Agency in Kano and River States were obsolete and needed to be changed.

He also lamented that the Agency was unable to carry out enough sensitization and capacity building for staff as required due to inadequate funding.

Prof Jauro pleaded with the legislators to assist the Agency in assessing funds such as ecological fund.