Dropping Refuse Attracts Jail Term, N20,000 Fine — NESREA

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) says anyone caught dropping refuse on the ground—including something as small as a recharge card—risks a minimum of six months' imprisonment or a fine of N20,000.

Mr Hena Emmanuel-Dangari, NESREA's State Coordinator in Kaduna, disclosed this in an interview in Kaduna.

He said the penalty is contained in the agency's sanitation and waste control regulation, adding that organisations found culpable of environmental violations could face even higher penalties.

He noted, however, that NESREA's priority is to encourage Nigerians to voluntarily comply with environmental regulations rather than wait for enforcement action and penalties. "What NESREA is trying to tell us is that we need to have a change in attitude. It is not just about paying penalties. NESREA prefers you to be self-compliant. If all Nigerians can change our attitude and behaviour, that will make our environment a better place for everyone," he said.

He explained that NESREA operates under 36 gazetted regulations covering various sectors of the economy, each prescribing specific penalties for different violations, and noted that the agency has been active in Kaduna since 2013, regulating environmental activities and promoting compliance with environmental standards.

According to him, the Kaduna Field Office has carried out sensitisation campaigns, enforcement operations, and the sealing of facilities belonging to defaulters found in violation of environmental regulations.

Emmanuel-Dangari said NESREA collaborates with faith-based organisations, markets, civil society groups, sister agencies and other stakeholders to promote proper waste disposal, and regularly visits mosques, churches and markets to sensitise residents on environmental regulations. He added that Thursdays have been designated for sensitisation activities across NESREA's field offices and headquarters.

He said NESREA has also partnered with the Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) on several occasions to sensitise residents on environmental cleanliness and proper waste disposal.

The coordinator appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with government efforts and promote environmental awareness among children, youths and adults, stressing that collective compliance with environmental regulations would contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment nationwide.