Lagos steel firms get ultimatum on pollution reduction

[Punch]

Lagos State Government says it has given iron and steel companies operating in the state till the end of the year to reduce pollution emission or face stiffer sanctions.

A statement by the Lagos State Environmental Protection on Tuesday said LASEPA General Manager, Mr. Rasheed Shabi, gave the directive when he met delegates from the industry in his office.

Shabi said government would no longer hesitate in enforcing emission reduction by operators in the sector to protect the lives of Lagosians.

He said the mission of the agency was to reduce pollution emission load emanating from the steel sector in the state by 25 per cent. He added that the agency would stop at nothing to achieve the aim.

According to him, the meeting, which is the second in the year, is to give feedback on performance of companies in the state in abating pollution.

He said, "A large number of companies are in the habit of releasing smoke in to the air, they also release heavily polluted waste water into the environment which ultimately end up polluting the environment and poisoning all life forms.

"LASEPA will not hesitate in its responsibility of protecting the environment.

Shabi, who wondered why the companies would prefer cutting corners than complying with the state's policies on the environment, urged the operators to cooperate with government in preserving the state.

He advised the companies to sort and wash their scraps before putting them in furnace to prevent the heavy smoke. He added that waste water should be emptied in a receptive tank to prevent the pollutants in the waste from getting into the state's water bodies. He said long term solution would be for the companies to have their treatment plants.

The LASEPA boss also told the delegates that apart from curtailing the emission load into the atmosphere, the agency also wanted an improved working condition for casual and contract workers who are often exposed to work in very harsh condition.

He said, "We know how hot your furnaces usually are, but it is no longer acceptable to expose young men and women to such heat as it would ultimately affect their reproductive life and might render them sterile.

"You all must install heat extracting fans in your production halls to suck out the heat and distribute air for the workers."

Shabi said the government was mitigating the impact of climate change through tree planting and strict monitoring of industrial companies on adherence to environmental laws.

The insisted that steel companies generate a heavy percentage of potentially dangerous gasses that ultimately depletes the ozone layer.

He added, "Government will soon complement steps to protect the environment by conducting emission tests for vehicles because they contribute over 16 per cent of harmful green house gasses into the atmosphere."



The Punch

[Folami David]

Pollution is something we are seriously battling with in this country and we have to just deal with it as soon as possible cos it's denting our image.