The Ministry of Waterways and Environment has issued Prohibition Notices to two Lami based cement manufacturing companies as they suspect that the dust emitted from the operations may not be of national air quality standard.
Permanent Secretary, Joshua Wycliffe says inspections were done on Saturday and yesterday after residents had complained.
Wycliffe says the companies are located in industrial zones.
He says if the health of the residents are at risk then work must stop immediately and no warning is given to the company.
The Permanent Secretary says this does not mean the companies will cease all their operations but it is specifically for those that are engaged in emitting dust.
Wycliffe has clarified that they do not have the power to forcefully and physically stop the business from operating.
He says it will depend on the companies on when they can resolve the issues.
An Environment Monitoring Committee was formed about a year ago which could monitor the operations of the companies at any time.
The Committee comprises of Lami residents, the company and the Director of Environment.
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