Lafarge embraces strict EIA compliance, Nigeria
The management of Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc has reiterated that its proposed new plants will comply with both Nigeria and international standard in terms of impact on the environment.
The company disclosed this during an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review meeting conducted by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development, for the company’s proposed cement and coal processing plants, which held at Abeokuta, Ogun State.
This explanation was contained in a statement issued by Lafarge WAPCO’s head of public relations, (Mrs.) Temitope Oguntokun.
The group’s Sustainability Development Manager, Mr. Yakubu Yusuf told the panel, comprising of experts such as engineers, geologists economists, mining and air quality specialists, that the new plants will adopt a dry process and bag filter technology which will aid in dust control during production.
According to him, "we will equally adopt other measures, such as construction and clearing of necessary channels to check issues of flooding. As part of our expansion project, we have plans to build a trailer park that will conveniently take about 600 trucks".
Earlier, the Minister for Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Hajia Halima Tayo Alao represented by Dr. N.G Ekeh had commended the management of Lafarge WAPCO for its eagerness to comply with the statutory EIA requirement before commencement of its proposed new cement factories.
Continuing, Alao said, "in compliance with the requirement of the EIA Act of 1992, Lafarge WAPCO has submitted copies of the EIA for its proposed new lines. From our visits to the existing facilities and the proposed new lines, the project is laudable because it will go a long way to bring down the price of cement. It will also provide employment opportunities for Nigerians.
The minister emphasised that the essence of the review is not to stall or stop any project or business but to ensure that such projects are environmentally friendly.
The Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge WAPCO, Mr. George Lourandos recently revealed that the company would witness an increase in its capacity with its ongoing expansion project.
According to him, "recent decision has been taken to deploy by end of 2010 a new 2.2Mt line, which will increase the aggregate Lafarge WAPCO capacity to 4.2Mt. The company currently has a capacity of 2Mt through its two plants at Ewekoro and Sagamu". Published under Cement News
