The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) says it has shut down Cornerstone, a facility managed by Istanbul Quarry in Dutse, Abuja.
Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s assistant director of press, said the facility was closed on Wednesday after flying rocks from a blasting operation injured staff members and students of Graceland High School and damaged school property.
Ejiofor said students were writing exams around 12:30 pm when a loud bang sent rocks flying, destroying school buildings.
She said 11 students and two staff members were injured, with nearby shops also affected.
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Glory Uboh, NESREA’s deputy director of conservation monitoring, said the closure was necessary, noting that the quarry violated the national environmental (quarrying and blasting operations) regulations 2013.
“What happened is life-threatening; that was why we had to move in immediately to seal the facility,” NAN quoted Uboh as saying.
“Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, will be sanctioned because our preliminary investigation shows contradictions to quarry operating procedures and regulations.
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“We will continue our investigations, and the facility will definitely be sanctioned in line with the national environmental (quarry and blasting operations) regulations 2013.”
