NESREA SHUTS ABUJA QUARRY AFTER BLAST INJURES STUDENTS AND STAFF, DAMAGES SCHOOL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down the Cornerstone quarry facility in Dutse, Abuja, operated by Istanbul Quarry, following a blasting incident that injured 13 people and damaged school property.
According to a press statement issued on Thursday by NESREA’s Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, the facility was sealed on Wednesday after flying rocks from a quarry explosion hit staff and students of Graceland High School, who were in their classrooms writing examinations at approximately 12:30 p.m.
The explosion resulted in flying debris that damaged school buildings and injured 11 students and two staff members. Nearby shops were also affected.
NESREA officials say preliminary findings revealed that the blasting operation violated the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
Deputy Director of Conservation Monitoring, Glory Uboh, described the incident as “life-threatening,” noting that the agency acted immediately to shut down the quarry.
“Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, which carried out the blasting operation, will be sanctioned because our preliminary investigation shows a contradiction to quarry operating procedures and regulations,” Uboh said.
“We will continue with our investigations, and the facility will definitely be sanctioned in line with the National Environmental (Quarry and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.”
NESREA stressed the need for strict enforcement of safety and environmental standards, especially in urban and peri-urban areas where schools, homes and shops are located close to quarry sites.
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