The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down Cornerstone, a facility managed by Istanbul Quarry in Dutse, Abuja, following a blasting accident that injured students and staff.
Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, said the closure occurred on Wednesday after flying rocks from a quarry blast injured staff and students of Graceland High School and damaged school property.
The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. while students were writing exams. The blast shattered school buildings, injured eleven students and two staff members, and affected nearby shops.
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Glory Uboh, NESREA’s Deputy Director of Conservation Monitoring, explained that 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 act immediately and seal the facility,” Uboh said.
She added that preliminary investigations revealed breaches of quarry operating procedures and regulations, stating: “Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, will be sanctioned. We will continue our investigations, and the facility will be penalized in line with the National Environmental (Quarry and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.”
