Tororo cement faces closure

Jul 09, 2009

THE National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has threatened to close down Tororo Cement Factory over pollution.

By Francis Kagolo

THE National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has threatened to close down Tororo Cement Factory over pollution.

NEMA executive director Dr. Henry Aryamanya-Mugisha said the managers had ignored instructions to mitigate dust pollution and ensure the occupational safety of the workers.

NEMA, MPs on the natural resources committee and the environment state minister, Jessica Eriyo, toured the factory on Wednesday and gave the managers a one-month ultimatum to comply or be shut.

Tororo LC5 chairman Emmanuel Osuna said the factory produces a heavy cloud of dust which covers neighbouring homesteads.

Hundreds of residents living around the factory protested against dust pollution last year.

“The protection of the people and the environment is critical. This is not innocent dust, it can cause diseases and death,” Aryamanya stressed.

The company director, B.M. Gagrani, was grilled over failure to apply up-to-date quarrying technology to control stones from flying and destroying people’s houses and animals.

The MPs were also shocked by the inhumane conditions of the workers and the deafening noise from the factory.

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