Nichemtex to reopen only after complying environmental norms

02 Sep '11

2 min read

The Lagos State government has stated that the Ikorodu-based Nichemtex Textile Industry, which was shut by Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) a few days back, would remain shut till all the environmental norms are complied with. This was notified to the workers of Nichemtex by LASEPA General Manager, Adebola Shabi.

Mr. Shabi assured the workers that he would ask Tunji Bello, Commissioner, Ministry of The Environment, to allow reopening of the company when it fully complies with all the environmental norms laid down by the State government.

He further stated that prior to its reopening, the company has been asked to fulfil imminent and long-term environmental requirements.

Addressing the workers led by Comrade Issa Aremu, State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, he said that LASEPA had forewarned the company administration regarding continuous emission of effluents from their factory into Ikorodu's Ibeshe River, which was contaminating the river and affecting the marine life.

However, Nichemtex did not pay any heed to these warnings and continued to emit chemical waste into the river rendering its water unhealthy for human consumption. Hence, to meet the water requirements of the residents in the area, the government was required to dig three boreholes, which now serve as alternate source of water supply, he added.

The LASEPA official asked the workers to abstain from going to the union to communicate their grievances to the government, as all that the government was doing was to secure safe and healthy surroundings for residents of the State.

Mr. Shabi further sounded a caution that all the companies contravening the provisions of the environmental protection laws would be sealed.

He said that the State government would shutdown any of the production unit or industry that is found to be contaminating the environment.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

More Textiles News - Nigeria...