ON ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION BY TANGA CEMENT FACTORY !!!

Friday, January 2   2015

In Summary

• NEMC says by importing thermal coal from South Africa without the environmental watchdog’s consent, the company is contravening environmental regulations

  Source: The Citizen,   FRIDAY, 2 January, 2015 -  Tanzania

Tanga. The National Environment Management Council (Nemc) is contemplating legal action against a cement factory in Tanga over allegations that the firm has imported thermal coal without the approval of the environmental watchdog.

NEMC says by importing thermal coal – a vital ingredient in the powering of a cement factory – from South Africa without the environmental watchdog’s consent, Tanga Cement Company Limited (TCCL) was contravening provisions of the Environmental Management Act No. 20 of 2004 (EMA, 2004).
Under the law, thermal coal is regarded as one of the hazardous materials whose importation can only be effected with approval from Nemc.

Nemc lawyer John Mnyele told reporters here earlier this week that according to Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP), TCCL declared to use thermal coal from Kiwira in Mbeya and Ruvuma regions which have enormous coal reserves.

“No approval to import the products was granted…We are filing an environmental case against Tanga Cement….they are transporting coal without taking any risk management…these are hazardous materials that may be harmful to the society hence cautions must be given,” he said

He said the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange listed firm is also required to sign another agreement that requires Nemc to undertake a new study to identify the social and environmental impacts as well as risks and liabilities involved in the process of transporting the materials to the places of work.

“We are not trying to prevent anyone from importing coal and other hazardous materials but we only want them to follow the right procedures in doing so…if not well handled, these hazardous materials can be harmful to the society so people who transport them without taking care of the society must be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

A Nemc environment officer, Magori Wambura said by transporting thermal coal from South Africa, the cement firm was playing down the need to conserve the marine environment as well as the society. The coal is offloaded in the sea onto barges causing environmental issues both in the sea and at the port.