The owner of the plastic recycling factory emitting toxic fumes in Frafraha, a suburb in Accra, has stated that he will only move out of the community in a year’s time.
The operations of Mr. Mohammed Habib Tafiru has come under heavy criticisms by residents in the community over what they describe as excessive levels of noise and unbearable fumes from the company.
The residents are also accusing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of compromising on their health after the plastic recycling factory was allowed to operate in the area without permit.
The residents who live near the plastic manufacturing factory at north Frafraha say the toxic fumes from the factory is having a negative impact on their health.
According to the residents, they strain with each breath as they suffer severe headaches, nausea and respiratory problems.
The irate residents are demanding that the factory immediately move out from the area to another location where they will not be affected by its operations.
A year ago, the Accra West Office of the Environmental Protection Agency ordered that the company be relocated after investigations into numerous complaints from residents.
But Mr. Habib Tafiru allegedly defied the order, compelling the EPA to initiate a legal action against him.
Despites the numerous complaints by residents and the legal action from the EPA, Mr. Tafiru in an interview on Morning Starr said he needs between six months to one year to move out from the vicinity.
According to him, relocating from Frafraha involves a lot adding that the residents must be patient and afford him all the time he needs to move out from the area.
“I need between six months to one year to move out from the area,” Mr. Habib told Morning Starr host Francis Abban adding “the time we were given to leave was not the best time.”
Meanwhile, the EPA’s director for standards compliance and enforcement, Mr. Lambert Faabuelson told Starr News’ Daniel Nii Lartey that the issue has just been brought to his attention adding that his unit will meet and take a decision.
“It was the assembly that gave the permit to the company to build the factory…they didn’t have an approval by the EPA but [they] were in the process of getting the approval when the case was reported. The process was being handled by the Amasaman office,” Mr. Faabuelson said.
Mr. Faabuelson who appeared to be defending the operations of the factory said there is nothing wrong in having a factory in a residential area.
“Who said a factory cannot be located in a residential area. Which law in this country, tell me the law in this country which says that a factory cannot be in a residential area. Other than that most of the businesses will be removed from the system.
“The issue has just been brought to my notice…I will meet my boss…and we will take a decision,” Mr. Faabuelson added.
