NESREA shuts down Abuja quarry after blast injures students, destroys school
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down Cornerstone, a facility operated by Istanbul Quarry in Dutse, Abuja, following a blasting accident that injured students and staff at Graceland High School.
According to Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s assistant director of press, the facility was closed on Wednesday after flying debris from a blasting operation struck the school, damaging buildings and injuring 11 students and two staff members. Nearby shops were also affected.
Ejiofor said the incident occurred around 12:30 pm, as students were writing exams, when a loud bang from the quarry sent rocks flying into the school premises.
Glory Uboh, NESREA’s deputy director of conservation monitoring, said the closure was necessary because the quarry violated the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
“What happened is life-threatening, which is why we had to move in immediately to seal the facility,” Uboh said.
“Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, will face sanctions because our preliminary investigation shows violations of quarry operating procedures and regulations,” She added,
“We will continue our investigations, and the facility will definitely be sanctioned in line with the National Environmental (Quarry and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.”
