Pollution: Residents storm Anambra factory to discuss way forward

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By Madu Obi

Residents of Ngo Ndam, Nnobi in Idemili South council area of Anambra State at the weekend stormed the multi million naira Seaman Rice Mill located in the area to discuss the way forward over the adverse effects of the factory on the inhabitants.

Some of the villagers have already abandoned their homes following alleged pollution of their environment by dark smoke and noise from the factory.

Officials of the company were, however, on hand to explain the operations of the factory to the people, assuring that the problems would soon be solved.

Spokesman of the affected villagers, John Enwedo said with the admission of the management of the company that certain anomalies have to be corrected to ensure a secure environment, there is a ray of hope for his people.

Enwedo said: " During our visit to the factory, we demanded to see the report of the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, and although the manager claimed that they have it, we are yet to see the report.

We also want to know the government agency that approved that a company of this magnitude should be established in the middle of a residential area.

We are also waiting for our community leader, Webster Okonkwo, to act on this matter. He is the one that chaired our meeting on Saturday and participated in the tour of the company to ascertain the situation on ground."

Enwedo added that his people even became more worried when a medical doctor visited the community recently and warned that it is dangerous for pregnant women to live in the area as they are likely to give birth to deformed babies, while other residents might be exposed to diseases such as cancer, and respiratory tract infections.

He said that in addition, vibration occurs whenever the factory is on, thereby putting the foundations of buildings and the boreholes in the vicinity at risk.

Enwedo said further: "The management of the factory shut it down while we were meeting so that people would not notice the harmful smoke coming from there.

They assured us during the meeting that they have concluded arrangement to install a silencer, but we have told them that installing a silencer does not remove the fact that the entire community is polluted.

Our worry is that if this pollution is this much now that the machines in the factory are still test-running, it will be worse when the machines become old.

The company has promised to bring a recycling machine to treat the waste water so as to reduce the pollution, but we know the management is only applying a tactical delay.

We want the state Ministry of Environment to intervene in this matter so as to save the people from the adverse effects of the pollution being suffered by our people."