Civilization has been overwhelmed with fearful reports that mankind is steadily working towards self – destruction through the process of uncontrolled pollution of the environment. A casual look at our surroundings shows reckless attitude of people towards environmental preservation.
Due to this development, regulations and standards have been set to ensure cleaner and safer environment. These regulations are enforced by agencies like National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and State Environmental Protection Agencies (SEPAs).
There are environment regulations currently in place which include regulation on noise, erosion, flood, for manufacturers of beverages and tobacco, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electrical, electronics, sanitation, emissions that that have to do with air pollution. There are also regulations on pollution, hazards, waste, air, soil, surface and subsurface water that constitute contamination of the environment. We have major forms of pollution such as water, noise, air, land/soil and thermal pollutions which sources include natural disaster, industries, motor vehicles, generation sets amongst others.
Without pollution control, the waste products from extraction, production, distribution, heating, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and other human activities, whether they accumulate or disperse, will degrade the environment. In the hierarchy of environmental control, pollution prevention and minimization of wastes are more desirable to pollution control.
Most industries and individuals in this country have erroneously claimed that why they are not able to treat or control their wastes or reduce pollution is that government has not provided the necessary facilities for the management of such wastes. Apart from the basic facilities the government has to provide, each waste generator is responsible for the safe disposal of his or her
References: Mba, C. H. (2004). Management of Environmental Problems and Hazards in Nigeria. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Odubela, M. T. And Omoniyi, I.I. Compliance Monitoring in Nigeria’s Industries. Okpara, S. (2012). Enforcing Environmental Regulations in Nigeria. The Tide Process Engineering. Article: Environmental Pollution. UNEP – Environmental Management in Africa Compedium (1991). Interim Guidelines and Standards for Environmental Pollution Control www.unep.org/padelia/publications/comp6Nigeria.pdf. NIGERIA. Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act (CAP 131 LFN) National Environmental Protection (Effluent Limitation) Regulations 1991.