According to Tanzanian news site, The Citizen, the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) has ordered the Dangote Cement Factory, to pay a fine of TZS 15 million ($US6,857) for failing to observe environment rules and regulations. These rules are stated in Tanzania’s 2004 Environmental Management Act and its regulations.

This fine comes nine months after the company started running its $500 million cement plant with a total capacity of 3,000 metric tonnes per day (TPD) of clinker output. The factory also has three packing machines which work at a rate of 2,400 bags per hour and it comes with its own 30 MW gas-based power source as well as 500 million tonnes of limestone reserves from the Mtwara mines.

Why was the fine imposed on the company?

The Citizen reported that the fine was imposed on the company, after an inspection by the Deputy Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Luhaga Mpina. They found solid waste within the factory’s compound and they failed to construct a latrine at the site where drivers park their vehicles as they await loading.

“We found the factory littered by solid waste. They should have dustbins. They are also supposed to construct a parking area as the current one is too dusty,” said Lewis Nzila, NEMC coordinator in the Southern Zone of Tanzania.

“There is no reason why the factory should not build a toilet for its customers. They should put up temporary facilities in the next two weeks and commence on building a permanent one,” Lewis said.

The Head of Human Resources at the Tanzanian Dangote factory, Kajele James, said that they will fulfill all the set conditions and directives.

“We respect the environment. The health of our workers and visitors depend on a safe environment. This factory has just begun operations and there are some support facilities which are still under construction,” said Kajele.