adminCharity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has urged companies to abide by environmental regulations warning that the authority will not be lenient on those found polluting the environment.
Last year the environmental watchdog conducted nationwide inspections on 885 companies in which 656, including big corporates and local authorities, were found on the wrong side of the law.
EMA spokesperson Steady Kangata told Business Chronicle that polluters would be slapped with stiffer penalties.
“We would like to urge companies to ensure that they’ve functional systems of treating and dealing with waste disposal. EMA will also play its role of ensuring that all obligations with regards to waste disposal are followed,” he said.
“We’ll take legal action on companies that won’t comply with the laws in terms of keeping the environment safe.
“We’ve had complaints from companies that antiquated machinery is contributing to the pollution of the environment.
“Companies should make efforts to come up with systems that prevent pollution of the environment regardless of the situation.”
Last year several companies were ordered to cease operations and attend their production systems after being found guilty of violating environmental regulations.
Others had to seek audience with EMA begging to be given more time to address the issue.
Kangata said his organisation was ready to offer advisory services to companies.
“EMA offers advice to companies on how best they can keep the environment safe. As a regulatory authority we’re open to all questions and queries companies may have,” he added.
Kangata urged companies with their books in order to maintain the good standards.
“Companies must remember that they need the consumers to purchase their goods and use their services. Polluting the environment exposes their targeted consumers to danger,” he said.
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