MTN Faces Criminal Charge Over Pollution

The National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has filed criminal charges against telecommunications giant, MTN, before the federal High Court, Enugu.

A statement issued by Sule Oyofo, the press officer of NESREA and made available to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, accused MTN of violating environmental regulations.

He said the telecommunications company did not obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate before installing its base station at Nkpologwu district, Emene in Enugu State.

The charge was field by NESREA director of legal services, Mr Bola Odugbesam.

It indicated that MTN Nigeria communication Limited operated a base transmission and telecommunications station, which generated harzardous waste, leading to the pollution of drinking wells at Nkpologwu.

Also joined in the suit were Celestine Jaja of Ekulu Estate, Enugu and Ahmed Farroukh of Golden Plaza building Ikoyi, Lagos.

It stated that such activity ran contrary to Regulations 78 of the National Environmental Sanitation and Waste Control) regulations, 209, which is punishable under Regulation 103 of the National Environmental Sanitation and Waste Control Regulations.

However, NESREA had on Friday March 5, sealed the base station after series of complaints by the residents of Nkpologwu district.

The agency conducted an inspection and found that the base station was generating hazardous waste, leading to pollution of drinking wells at Nkpologwu district as diesel used at the base station drained off.