…Alade-Akinyemi: We are known for responsible operations, minimize impact, high impact contribution to environmental sustainability
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal on Wednesday enjoined Lafarge African Plc, a multinational cement manufacturer with spread across continennts and other players in the sector to develop a robust national action plan in compliance with the Ministry’s guidelines in accordance to international best practices.
Addressing the Company’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, the Minister explains that one of such regulations that the Ministry has emplaced which is relevant to the cement sector is the National Environmental (Non-metallic minerals manufacturing industries sector) Regulations S.I No. 21 of 2011.
The principal thrust of this regulation, Balarabe, stressed is to prevent and minimize pollution from all operations and ancillary activities of the sector and provide for the control of emission and effluent discharges, conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Audit, preparation and submission of environmental management plan.
A national action plan for mercury reduction in the cement sector is therefore imperative, he added.
He said: “I therefore wish to enjoin you to fully comply with the provisions of these regulations and plan while also challenging you to adopt modern cleaner production and energy-efficient technology that meets global best practices.”
He however, acknowledged that the cement industry is an energy-intensive one, which requires requires huge amounts of non-renewable resources like raw materials and fossil fuel with attendant environmental health and safety issues such as water pollution, emissions of particulate matters (dust), volatile organic compounds, heavy metals e.g mercury and gases like nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
“The human and environmental impacts of these challenges include respiratory problems such as tuberculosis from dust emission, global warming from carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emission, and acidification/corrosion from sulfur dioxide emission.
“Since its establishment, the Ministry has been raising the issue of environmental consciousness in the citizens’ minds and striving to enforce global environmental best practices in Nigeria.
“The Ministry is also focusing on evolving innovative strategies that emphasise the use of environmental re-engineering as a veritable tool for sustainable socio-economic development and general improvement in the livelihood of the Nigerian populace.
“To ensure that such strategies are in line with our vision and mission of ensuring that Nigeria develops in harmony with her environment and to ensure environmental protection and natural conservation for sustainable development, as well as fulfil Nigeria’s obligations under the Paris Agreement and Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Ministry has developed: Appropriate regulations through her enforcement agency, NESREA.” The Minister said.
On the overarching importance of the product, he said it is impossible to envisage a modern life without cement, as it is an extremely important construction material for housing and infrastructure development.
Balarabe, acknowledged that in Nigeria, the cement industry being a leading manufacturing industry, plays a major role in improving the standard of living by creating direct employment and multiple cascading economic benefits to associated industries, hence, a key to our national economic growth.
However, the cement industry, he added is an energy-intensive one. It requires huge amounts of non-renewable resources like raw materials and fossil fuel with attendant environmental health and safety issues such as water pollution, emissions of Particulate Matters (Dust), Volatile Organic Compounds, Heavy Metals e.g Mercury and Gases like Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide among others.
He said: “The Ministry is also focusing on evolving innovative strategies that emphasise the use of environmental re-engineering as a veritable tool for sustainable socio-economic development and general improvement in the livelihood of the Nigerian populace.
“To ensure that such strategies are in line with our vision and mission of ensuring that Nigeria develops in harmony with her environment and to ensure environmental protection and natural conservation for sustainable development, as well as fulfil Nigeria’s obligations under the Paris Agreement and Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Ministry has developed: Appropriate regulations through her enforcement Agency, NESREA.
“Also, I will equally request that you increase the level of your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which should include the construction of toilet facilities in your host communities to strengthen your relationship with them.”
In a remark, the MD/CEO of the company, expressed profound gratitude to the Minister for his unwavering support in facilitating the approval of pivotal projects at enhancing environmental sustainability initiatives, which he said aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) as being driven by the Minister.
Alade-Akinyemi, said: “We are committed to contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria by providing high quality building solutions, creating job opportunities and supporting local communities.
“With over 60 years of operations in the country, Lafarge Africa has played a significant role in ythe construction and infrastructure development of Nigeria.”
On climate change mitigation, the MD, explained that the company is resolute in in its dedication to climate and sustainability initiatives, adding that the company is even more ready to collaborate with the Ministry on programmes and initiatives that promotes environmental responsibility.
