Officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA have shutdown Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry in Dutse area of Abuja, after flying rocks from a blasting operation injured staff and students of Graceland High School, and damaged the school properties as well.
Investigations by NESREA showed that the students were in their various classes writing their first term examination when they heard a bang at about 12.30pm, followed by flying rocks which destroyed the school buildings, with 11 students and two staff of the school sustaining various degrees of injury. Nearby shops were also affected by the flying rocks.
NESREA’s Deputy Director of Conservation Monitoring, Glory Uboh said the Agency shutdown the facility because their operations are contrary to the provisions of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
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She said, “What happened is life threatening, that was why we had to move in immediately to seal the facility. Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, which carried out the blasting operation will be sanctioned because our preliminary investigation shows contradiction to the Quarry operating procedure and regulations”
Uboh added that investigation into the incident is continuing and the facility will definitely be sanctioned in line with the National Environmental (Quarry and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
