The serene environment of Dutse, a bustling suburb in Abuja, the seat of the Federal Government, was recently shaken by a huge blast arising from Quarry operations that spiraled into nearby premises, threatening lives and destroying a school where children were writing exams, causing significant damage.
Story by Lucy Ekulugbo, from Abuja
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has moved swiftly to shut down a quarry company identified as Cornerstone, and managed by Istanbul Quarry in Dutse area of Abuja on Wednesday, after flying rocks from a blasting operation injured staff and students of Graceland High School, and damaged the school properties as well.
According to Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, Assistant Director (Press), the action was necessary to nip the dangerous situation in the bud.
She said the Investigations by NESREA showed that the students were in their various classes writing exams when they heard a bang at about 12.30 pm, followed by flying rocks which destroyed the school buildings, with 11 students and 2 staff of the school sustaining various degrees of injury.
Throwing more light on the incident, Mrs. Ejiofor disclosed that nearby shops were also affected by the flying rocks, and panicked residents had nowhere to flee.
But speaking further, the Deputy Director, Conservation Monitoring, Glory Uboh, said the Agency took the step to shut down the facility as their operations were contrary to the provisions of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
She said, “What happened was life-threatening, and that was why we had to move in immediately to seal the facility.
Gloria Uboh explained that Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, which carried out the blasting operation, will be sanctioned because preliminary investigation showed a contradiction to Quarry operating procedure and regulations.
“We will continue with our investigations and the facility will definitely be sanctioned in line with the National Environmental (Quarry and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013”, she further stated.
