Strict conditions issued to Pacific Cement for offloading of clinker

Strict conditions have been placed on the permit issued to Pacific Cement for the offloading of clinker from the Kings Wharf and it’s transportation to the factory in Lami.

Permanent Secretary for Environment, Joshua Wycliffe has given his assurance that certain conditions given in the permit is in line with the High Court ruling earlier this year.

However he says that he cannot disclose what is in the permit.

In an earlier ruling by High Court Judge Deepthi Amaratunga ordered Pacific Cement Limited to ban the offloading of the clinker from barges to the truck in Lami.

Justice Amaratunga had also said that Pacific Cement Limited does not have a permit to offload the clinker from trucks to the barge in Lami.

He said the clinker dust was also hazardous to the environment.

The company has been asked to offload the clinker into the truck and take it directly to the factory.

Wycliffe says they have initiated a monitoring system that would see to the offloading and the transportation of clinker to the factory.

In their meeting with Pacific Cement, Wycliffe says they have established a joint committee that would work closely with the ministry to monitor the impact on the environment.

He says they have assigned specific staff in the waste management unit to play a supportive role in ensuring that the environment is protected and air pollution is minimized to protect the people living along Lami area.

Wycliffe hopes to have a round table discussion with businesses in the future to raise awareness on businesses that conduct activities that may have a direct impact on the environment.