The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is intensifying efforts to improve environmental compliance in Delta State by strengthening collaboration with the media as part of a broader strategy to deepen public awareness and enforcement of environmental laws.
Rather than relying solely on regulatory sanctions, the agency is increasingly turning to public enlightenment and stakeholder engagement as key tools for driving behavioural change and promoting environmental responsibility.
This approach was highlighted during an advocacy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, where the State Coordinator of NESREA, Mr. Enoch Anyankpele, stressed the critical role of journalists in shaping public understanding of environmental issues.
According to Anyankpele, NESREA, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Environment, operates with a mandate that combines regulation, enforcement and education on environmental standards and international environmental agreements.
He noted that effective enforcement is difficult without adequate public knowledge of environmental responsibilities, making media partnership essential to achieving compliance across communities, industries and households.
The agency also drew attention to operational constraints at the state level, particularly limited funding, which has made collaboration with stakeholders and continuous public sensitization even more important.
Beyond enforcement, NESREA is positioning itself as a responsive regulatory body open to receiving public complaints on environmental violations such as pollution, noise disturbances and non-compliance by individuals and organisations.
The agency’s strategy reflects a shift toward participatory environmental governance, where citizens and the media serve as active partners in monitoring and reporting environmental infractions.
In response, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, reaffirmed its readiness to support environmental advocacy through sustained reportage and public enlightenment campaigns.
NUJ leadership, led by Chairman Comrade Churchill Oyowe, described environmental protection as fundamental to public health and sustainable development, noting that journalists have a dual responsibility to hold institutions accountable while supporting initiatives that serve the public good.
He added that while financial limitations may affect information dissemination, the media remains committed to civic responsibility and environmental awareness.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that stronger synergy between NESREA and the media would enhance compliance levels, improve waste management practices, reduce pollution and contribute to a cleaner and healthier Delta State.
The engagement underscores a growing recognition that environmental protection is not only a regulatory function but also a shared civic responsibility requiring sustained communication, education and community participation.
