NESREA seals Chinese firm

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA), has sealed off a production company, Kwo Chief Investment Limited, for illegal production and exportation of charcoal in Nigeria.
NESREA said the Chinese company located at Obimo in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State has been engaged in the production or exportation of charcoal without a valid permit issued by the Federal or State Department of Forestry, making its activities illegal.
A statement by the agency said the matter will be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded. The agency explained that there is a pending ban on the production of charcoal for export, noting that local commercial production is allowed within the ambit of the law.
The statement reads in part: “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. 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”.