Mozambique: Plastics recycling company closed in Zimpeto

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Plastics recycling company closed in Zimpeto

3:54 CAT | 27 Sep 2021

Photo: O País

The National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE) team in the city of Maputo has closed a Chinese-owned plastics recycling company for polluting the environment and soil in the Zimpeto neighbourhood.

The issue was highlighted last Monday, when the newspaper ‘O Pais’ first publicised the activities of the company, located in the Zimpeto neighbourhood and dedicated to recycling plastic from garbage dumps in the city of Maputo.

Communities had complained of pollution allegedly caused by the company, indicating broods of mosquitoes, black standing water exuding nauseating smells, and a pond full of plastic residues which was making residents feel uncomfortable.

The matter having finally reached the ears of those in charge, a multi-sectorial team led by the INAE closed the recycling unit this Thursday, apparently on the grounds of, among other things, violations of the Labour Law.

“In the work we carried out, we found that this company does not have a DUAT, a solid waste management plan, an environmental monitoring plan, nor does it hold updated and regular medical examinations of its workers or collaborators. Likewise, we verified that the COVID-19 prevention measures are not observed in that firm,” said Gabriel Chongo, INAE delegate in the capital.

This Friday morning, one of the company’s owners was on site, trying, with the help of some of its workers, to implement the authorities’ recommendations.

Chongo said he was sorry to have had to close the factory, but it would, he said, only start recycling waste again once all measures were followed to the letter, adding that all activities at the plant would henceforth be closely monitored.

“We ordered them to correct these situations and only open again once they meet the recommendations of the multi-sectorial team,” Chongo reported.

The multi-sector team consisted of representatives of the PRM, the Municipality of Maputo, the Attorney General’s Office and the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities.

By Amandio Borges

Source: O País