The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, has stressed the importance of prioritising the environment in the installation of telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria.
He stated that all such projects must adhere to the country’s environmental guidelines to ensure a sustainable development.
The NESREA DG made these comments during a meeting with representatives from Consulting & Management and Europe Ltd, two European firms working on a European Union-funded initiative aimed at supporting the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
The project, titled “EU Support to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy for Studies Supporting a 90,000 km Fibre Optic Network and Improved Digital Literacy in Nigeria,” aims to enhance digital connectivity and literacy across the country.
According to a statement from NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor, Dr. Barikor assured that environmental considerations would be prioritised before the project gets underway. He also emphasised the need to inform the public about the project’s impact and benefits.
Professor Muhammad Ladan, who led the delegation, confirmed that steps were already being taken to ensure compliance with environmental standards, particularly in regard to conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project.
Ladan added that their visit to NESREA was part of ongoing efforts to engage and consult with key stakeholders about the project moving forward.
The planned fibre optic network aims to transform Nigeria’s digital landscape, but NESREA remains committed to ensuring that it does not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.
