NESREA Clampdown On Chinese Firm Over Illegal Charcoal Exportation 

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA), has sealed up  facilities belonging to a Chinese company,  for illegal production and exportation of charcoal in Nigeria.

According to a statement by  the agency ,  identify the name  of the company as Kwo Chief Investment Limited, located at Obimo in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

NESREA affirmed that charcoal production or handling without a valid permit issued by the Federal or State Department of Forestry, is illegal.

It noted the matter will be charged to court adding that “Investigations showed that the company was operating illegal charcoal production facilities at Ikem and Obimo in Isi-Uzo and Nsukka local government areas of Enugu State without permit.

“This runs contrary to the provisions of the National Environmental (Control of Charcoal Production Export) Regulations 2014,” the statement added.

The statement explained that there was a ban on production of charcoal for export in Nigeria, pointing out that local commercial production is allowed within the ambit of the law.

NESREA added that “a person shall not undertake or engage in any undertaking or activity relating to commercial charcoal production or handling without a valid permit issued by the Federal or State Department of Forestry”.