This Day (Lagos)
Onyebuchi Ezigbo
12 July 2009
Abuja — The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and the Nigerian Police have agreed to map out strategies for effective enforcement of sanitation laws and regulations governing use of the environment nationwide.
In order to ensure effective collaboration with the Nigerian Police, the Agency is rolling out arrangements to train Police Officers and enhance their capacities in the area of environmental governance as well as to check environmental crimes.
The Agency, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Environment Agency of the United Kingdom will be organizing a Forum for Law Enforcement Agents and Judges on strategies for effective enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
A statement issued yesterday by NESREA's Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ben Agande, said the Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro has given approval for the agency to train Policemen in environmental enforcement procedures and regulations.
He said the partnership deal was sealed when the Director-General of NESREA, Dr (Mrs.) Ngeri S. Benebo visited the Police Chief in his office last week.
The statement quoted Okiro as proposing the inclusion of study of environment and sanitation issues in the curriculum of Police training Schools.
"If we overlook the environment now, we will pay for it in the future. I will ensure that Police officers are attached to enforcement officers of your Agency to ensure that they carry out their duties without molestation. We are in a country where people do not like to do the right thing even when they know it, except they are forced to do so", he said.
According to the Inspector General of Police, "there can be no healthy living without a good environment, adding that the importance of greenery, to our life cannot be over-emphasized. "We will work towards incorporating Sanitation Laws into the curriculum of Police training Institutes so that our officers would be grounded on environmental issues", he said.
Okiro directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of 'E' Department (Training), Mr. Uba Ringin to liaise with NESREA to work out the details of the training programme on Environmental issues for the Police.
Earlier in her speech, the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr (Mrs.) Ngeri S. Benebo (JP) said the creation of NESREA by this government underscores the importance attached to the "protection and preservation of the environment, not only for this present generation, but for future generations of this great country".
The Director-General informed the Inspector General of Police the primary responsibility of NESREA which includes among others the Enforcement of compliance with Laws, Regulations, Standards, Polices and Guidelines on the Environment.
She said in order to achieve its responsibility; there is the need for "a strong synergy and cooperation to be formed with the Nigerian Police Force.
She said the Agency needs the assistance of the Inspector General of Police in assigning armed escort to officials of the Agency in the course of carrying out their statutory duties.
Benebo complained that a lot of organisations in the industrial sectors and their managements were averse to law and order and may try unconventional/illegal means to obstruct/frustrate the officials of the Agency in carrying out their duties.
She noted that the visit is to let the Police High Command know about the Agency, its role and responsibilities and the need to collaborate with the Agency to control environmental crimes..
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