NESREA seals Abuja quarry site after operation destroyed school building, injured 11 students

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed a quarry site, Cornerstone in Dutse in Abuja, after flying rocks from a blasting operation destroyed school properties, injuring 11 students and two staff memners of Graceland High School.

The agency disclosed this on its official X social media on Thursday.

It said, at 12:30 p.m.on Wednesday, while in classes, the students, heard a sudden and large blast from the site, managed by Istanbul Quarry, releasing rocks which consequently hit the school building and also some other properties nearby, inflicting serious injuries.

Though it did not disclose details of the situation, it added that shops near the quarry site were also affected.

In the statement, the agency’s Deputy Director, Conservation Monitoring, Glory Uboh, further explained that the sealing of the site was necessary due to the situation and also after his organisation’s investigation revealed that the operation contradicted quarry operating procedures and regulations.

“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 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 said.

Read full statement below

NESREA SHUTS DOWN QUARRY AS BLAST DESTROYS SCHOOL, INJURES SCHOOL CHILDREN

Officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) shut down Cornerstone, 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.

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.

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Nearby shops were also affected by the flying rocks.

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 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 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”.