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Fungai Lupande Mashonaland Central Bureau
Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Monica Mavhunga last week advised a fertiliser and seed company in Bindura, FSG, to immediately come up with solutions to reduce the amount of dust it is emitting that is affecting schools in its vicinity.
The affected schools include Chipindura High School and Bindura University of Science Education.
FSG production manager Mr Naas Maritz admitted that the company has been emitting a lot of dust, especially from its crusher and agreed to cover the sludge at the premises while finding a long-term solution to the problem.
Speaking at the company premises, Minister Mavhunga said learners at Chipindura High School were being affected by the fumes of dust being emitted by the company.
“As farmers we are aware of the importance of fertiliser, but in the same vein, its production is causing emission of dust, which is affecting the children’s health,” she said.
“I talked to the company to implement short-term solutions immediately to control the dust while they look at long-term solutions.
“Parents with children affected by the dust must immediately seek medical attention.
“We received a report from the headmaster at Chipindura High School that learners are inhaling dust and they are failing to come to school.
“This is what prompted my visit to this company so that the problem is looked into and solved.”
Mr Maritz said they produce about 1 000 tonnes of fertiliser per day on a double shift.
“As the minister has said, we are now working on finding a lasting solution to the problem of dust,” he said.
“For a permanent solution, we have to talk to the managing director. I am not in a position to say what the company will do.
“You are welcome to visit the head office and see the managing director to discuss this issue further.”
Environmental officer Mr Tsaurai Gwarinda urged the company to obtain a clay abstraction licence and submit their environmental management plan underlining the mitigation measures to suppress the dust to EMA.
“They are keen to do as we ordered and we will continue monitoring them,” he said.
“We haven’t measured the components of the dust to see what is in it.
“We will have an analysis to establish how hazardous the dust is.
“However, dust is just hazardous to health.”
Online Reporter