Following a complaint from Ngo Ndam village residents, the Anambra State Ministry of Environment has inspected Seaman Rice Mill on May 29, 2024, to assess its environmental impact. The factory’s activities were alleged to be causing harmful pollution, endangering nearby residents’ livelihoods. The inspection aimed to investigate and address these concerns.
According to the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, the inspection was a proactive measure to address the masses’ concerns and ensure the protection and well-being of the citizens.
Dr. Odimegwu reaffirmed the Soludo administration’s dedication to protecting the environment and the health of Ndi Anambra, stressing the importance of transparency in sharing the Ministry’s findings and actions with the public.
He noted that the inspection showcased the government’s commitment to upholding environmental standards and promoting sustainable practices in industries operating in the State, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for all.
Production Manager of Seaman Rice Mill, Mr. Emeka Eze escorted the team on a factory tour, identifying the source of the pollution and outlining corrective measures to address it.
He also walked them through the rice milling processes. Following the tour, the team observed a significant reduction in pollution. To confirm their findings, they spoke with nearby residents.
The Production Manager assured the Ministry of Environment team that the pollution has been technically contained to a permissible level, and they have taken steps to prevent future occurrences by correcting the equipment responsible for the smoke emissions.
The Director of Environmental Health and Pollution Control Department of the ministry, Sanitarian Oluchi Nwankwu, emphasized the importance of environmental monitoring and the possible corrective measures to ensure compliance with environmental health regulations.
The director highlighted the need for the rice mill and other similar industries to adhere to strict environmental standards, citing concerns over workers/machine relationships (ergonomic), air and water pollution, noise pollution, and waste management.
Senior Environmental Health Officer, Mrs. Nwafor Theresa Nwakaego, highlighted the key environmental health concerns related to rice mills, including particulate matter emissions, heavy metal contamination, and soil and water pollution.
She elaborated on how these risks are evaluated during inspections and the measures that can be implemented to mitigate them, ensuring a safer environment and promoting sustainable practices in the industry.
A team from the Ministry of Environment, comprising Sanitarian Oluchi Nwankwu (Director Environmental Health Services), Sanitarian Theresa Nwakaego Nwafor (Senior Environmental Health Officer), Sanitarian Madubugwu Maureen (Environmental Health Officer 1) and Azuka Innocent Okolie inspected the facility, among others.
