By Mathews Malata:
Mount Meru Millers has been closed until it rectifies all areas of noncompliance as per the order issued by the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).
A team of inspectors from MEPA were spotted within the company’s premises atleast twice today (morning and late afternoon) and had protracted conversations with company’s senior representatives, two sperate sources on the ground have confirmed.
Mount Meru Millers Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sourav Argarwal has only blueticked a set of questions sent to him via WhatsApp in a attempt to capture the company’s position on the matter.
He did not pick up his phone when he was called several times.
MEPA’s Deputy Director General Michael Makonombera has confirmed the latest development.
On Tuesday, communitues around the factory asked authorities to quickly intervene and address the pollution scandal which has serious environmental and health risks.
Makonombera said they inspected the company on 17th January, issued an order including a fine of 5 million kwacha on 23rd January but to date the company had not paid the fine and most of the noncompliance issues were not resolved.
” In addition to the K5 million fine, the company will be charged K100, 000 daily effective today until all issues are resolved. This is because they did not comply with the first order,” Makonombera stated.
MEPA has since advised well meaning Malawians to always inform them of any issues requiring their attention through their toll free line number 5153.
Movement for Environmental Action (MEA) projects lead Inno D’Thalie Sandram has hailed MEPA for the action taken.
Sandram has also encouraged MEPA to be more vigilant and deal with other companies who are also operating in the country with no respect to the environment.
