The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed off a major rice processing plant in Kano State over alleged environmental violations linked to air pollution and offensive odour, raising fresh concerns about the growing threat industrial activities pose to public health and host communities.
The affected facility, Fortune Rice Mills Limited, was shut down following investigations by NESREA into complaints from residents over persistent dust emissions and environmental nuisance allegedly emanating from the plant.
The enforcement operation, carried out by the agency’s North-West Zonal Office, followed what officials described as repeated non-compliance with environmental regulations despite earlier warnings and compliance notices issued to the company.
According to NESREA, investigations established that the company violated provisions of the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations 2014 and the National Environmental (Food, Beverages and Tobacco Sector) Regulations 2023.
Director-General of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, condemned what he described as the “reckless attitude” of some industrial operators toward environmental safety and public well-being.
He warned that economic activities must not come at the expense of citizens’ health, stressing that industries operating in Nigeria must comply strictly with environmental laws and standards.
“The health of Nigerians and the protection of the environment cannot be sacrificed for profit,” he said, adding that the agency would continue to clamp down on facilities found violating environmental regulations.
The development has once again spotlighted concerns about weak environmental compliance across industries nationwide, particularly in densely populated urban centres, where residents often bear the burden of unchecked industrial emissions, contaminated air, and poor waste management practices.
Environmental advocates have repeatedly warned that prolonged exposure to industrial dust and polluted air could worsen respiratory illnesses and other health complications, especially among children and vulnerable residents living near manufacturing clusters.
Prof. Barikor also called on Nigerians to become more actively involved in protecting their environment by promptly reporting cases of pollution and environmental infractions to relevant authorities.
The closure of the Kano rice mill is one of the latest enforcement actions by NESREA, as the agency intensifies efforts to compel industries nationwide to adopt cleaner, safer production standards.
