NESREA shuts down quarry over death of ten years old
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down the Dai Jin Jia Quarry over the death of a 10-year-old boy during a blasting operation, and for
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down the Dai Jin Jia Quarry over the death of a 10-year-old boy during a blasting operation, and for failing to uphold environmental standards by ensuring the safety of host communities.
The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, represented by the Director of Environmental Quality Control, Elijah Udofia, said the quarry's Warning Alarm System (Siren), which would have notified residents of the intention to blast, was faulty.
The DG disclosed this during the quarry's closure at the ACO Village, Airport Road, Abuja. He stated that despite the Agency's warnings and regulatory oversight, the facility remained recalcitrant, lamenting that even after prior warnings and sealing, the facility chose to continue operations that violated National Environmental Regulations and put lives at risk.
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He said, "The quarry has been sealed again, this time in response to the grievous consequences of its operations.
Preliminary investigation by the officers of NESREA accompanied by officers of the Nigeria Police, Aco Division on Friday 27th February 2026 revealed that the quarry did not have documented Blasting Operation Plan and could not produce documented Charge Load Density (CLD) (Quantity of Explosives) used for the blasting operation in violation of Regulation 23 of National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
“Investigations are underway, and we assure the public that all responsible parties will be held accountable. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to environmental regulations. We must prioritize not only compliance with laws but also the safety and well-being of our citizens".
Barikor urged operators in the quarry sector and beyond to adhere strictly to the provisions of the National Environmental Regulations. The safety of the environment and the communities cannot be compromised. The agency will continue to monitor compliance and take necessary actions against violators to ensure such tragedies do not occur in the future.
