Enugu and Imo governments are issuing fines to residents for using alternative energy sources to power their facilities, citing “environmental unfriendly activities” and “carbon emission.”

According to Enugu’s ministry of government and climate change, alternative sources of power, aside from the one generated by the nation’s power company, contravenes multiple sections of the environmental law and carries a fine penalty.

“You are hereby notified of your contravention of the law, particularly, Sections 124, 125, 126, 127 and 128 by your environmental unfriendly activities which include the use of alternative power supply (Lutec) in your facility which contributes to carbon emission in the environment,” the ministry stated in a notice to an Enugu resident on August 28.

It added, “Consequently, notice is given to you within 7 days to comply with the state ministry of environment and climate change, Enugu and in addition, pay the contravention fine of N88,000.”

Checks by Peoples Gazette showed that Lutec is a Chinese company that deals in solar energy and LED lighting.

The resident was ordered to pay into an FCMB account, 2004261655, that belonged to Paskay Global Ventures.

The ministry threatened to prosecute the resident if the individual failed to comply with the fine payment within the stipulated period.

A similar document from the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (Imo ENTRACO) fined Nneoha Bakery N2 million for emission of toxic fume/nuisance, waste or spillage discharge, noise pollution and blocking of drains, road with sand, stones and building materials at unauthorised places.

The notice said the fine was a penalty accumulated over three years, specifically between 2022 and 2024.

“Imo ENTRACO hereby demands that you pay the sum of N2,000,000 within seven days of receiving this notice with the Imo state government treasury single account (IMGTSA) through the pay direct platform in any of the commercial banks,” stated a notice with the letterhead ‘Office of The Governor’ dated August 15.

The notice had an additional clause that the commission would activate prosecution measures if the bakery refused to comply.

An Imo ENTRACO official told Peoples Gazette that to verify the document’s authenticity, the violator would be asked to pay into the Imo state treasury single account (IMGTSA), the directive given to Nneoha Bakery.

In a nation plagued by epileptic electricity supply exacerbated by the frequent collapse of the national power grid that impedes economic growth, many rely heavily on generators and solar energy for basic and commercial activities.