Stern warning issued to textile mills over crude waste disposal
Minister of State in President's Office (Environment), Binilith Mahenge has warned Arusha-based textile mills against indecent disposal of liquid waste, urging them to set up safer means of disposing waste.
The minister also called upon factories to stop using firewood and logs as their sources of energy and instead embark on using coal, gas and electricity.
Mahenge who is Makete legislator gave the warning here recently after having inspected ‘A to Z' Textile Mills situated at Kisongo area and Sunflag Tanzania Ltd located in Themi Industrial Area.
The minister's inspection came barely a few weeks after more than 3,000 residents of Matevesi area in Arusha marched to the mosquito nets manufacturers (A to Z Textile Mill) protesting the factory's tendency of discharging toxic wastes into residential areas, hence posing health risks to the people and their livestock.
During the incident, Arusha District Commissioner, John Mongela issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of A to Z Textile Mill to ensure that the polluted water from the factory does not flow into residential areas.
In his impromptu visit, Mahenge called on the factory to adhere to environmental standards.
He further called on other factories in Arusha and the country at large to take the issue of public health as their first priority, "I call on all manufacturers to observe environmental standards when executing their duties."
Executive Director of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Bonaventura Baya commended A to Z Textile Mill for creating plenty of job opportunities.
He said they are preparing to establish regulations that will ensure the textile industry adheres to rules and regulations of environmental cleanliness at all times.
A to Z Textile Mill official, Godwin Obed said the plant is in a process of transforming from using firewood to coal in efforts to conserve the environment.
For years the factory has been using firewood and logs from the forest located in Ngaramtoni area of Arumeru District.
Source:IPP Media
Minister of State in President's Office (Environment), Binilith Mahenge has warned Arusha-based textile mills against indecent disposal of liquid waste, urging them to set up safer means of disposing waste.
The minister also called upon factories to stop using firewood and logs as their sources of energy and instead embark on using coal, gas and electricity.
Mahenge who is Makete legislator gave the warning here recently after having inspected ‘A to Z' Textile Mills situated at Kisongo area and Sunflag Tanzania Ltd located in Themi Industrial Area.
The minister's inspection came barely a few weeks after more than 3,000 residents of Matevesi area in Arusha marched to the mosquito nets manufacturers (A to Z Textile Mill) protesting the factory's tendency of discharging toxic wastes into residential areas, hence posing health risks to the people and their livestock.
During the incident, Arusha District Commissioner, John Mongela issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of A to Z Textile Mill to ensure that the polluted water from the factory does not flow into residential areas.
In his impromptu visit, Mahenge called on the factory to adhere to environmental standards.
He further called on other factories in Arusha and the country at large to take the issue of public health as their first priority, "I call on all manufacturers to observe environmental standards when executing their duties."
Executive Director of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Bonaventura Baya commended A to Z Textile Mill for creating plenty of job opportunities.
He said they are preparing to establish regulations that will ensure the textile industry adheres to rules and regulations of environmental cleanliness at all times.
A to Z Textile Mill official, Godwin Obed said the plant is in a process of transforming from using firewood to coal in efforts to conserve the environment.
For years the factory has been using firewood and logs from the forest located in Ngaramtoni area of Arumeru District.
Source:IPP Media
