The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, has charged environmental consultants accredited by the Agency to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the execution of their duties.
Professor Barikor gave the charge on Wednesday during an engagement with the consultants at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Emphasizing the critical role consultants play in the regulatory process, the DG stated that the data they provide from facility audits directly informs the Agency’s decisions, making accuracy non-negotiable.
“Data integrity is key. We rely on you to guarantee the integrity of the data you provide, and this is where professionalism comes in. We will frown at plagiarism,” Professor Barikor declared.
He further highlighted the consultants’ position as a vital interface between NESREA and the regulated community. Noting the high cost of enforcement, the DG urged the consultants to actively promote voluntary compliance among facilities.
“Enforcement is very expensive, and that is why we push for voluntary compliance. As consultants who liaise with these facilities, we encourage you to get them to understand the need to comply with the National Environmental Regulations and other relevant laws,” he said.
Professor Barikor assured the consultants of the Agency’s continued support, pledging to provide the necessary tools for seamless operations. He specifically pointed to the National Environmental Information Management System (NEIMS) portal as a platform designed to enhance their work.
“The NEIMS portal is designed to further enhance your job, boost efficiency, and allow for real-time interface between you and the Agency. The direction we are headed is to ensure perfection in our operations,” he added.
In his response, the President of the Association of NESREA Accredited Environmental Consultants, Mr. Lanre Eyinfunjowo, expressed gratitude to the Director-General for the regular engagement, noting that such forums ensure prompt resolution of issues and foster a collaborative working relationship.
