Call for action amid air quality concerns

An industry that cannot manage its emissions is an industry that is not built for the future, says DFFE deputy minister

6 hours ago

Gugu Myeni 3 minutes read

PHOTO for illustration purpose: Ala J Graczyk/Pexels

“A city that cannot protect the health of its residents will struggle to attract investment and the trust it needs to grow.”

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh delivered this stern message to local captains of industry at an engagement hosted by the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) in Richards Bay on Friday.

The deputy minister was raising concerns over air quality and environmental compliance within the City of uMhlathuze, which is poised for major developments that are expected to inject billions of rands into the local economy.

“An industry that cannot manage its emissions is an industry that is not built for the future.

“A port that cannot handle its dust is a port that will lose its social licence and, increasingly, its access to global markets,” said Singh.

He said, while the city is among the country’s ‘crown jewels’ with major economic activity, including mining, mineral processing, manufacturing and export operations, there continues to be public outcry over air quality.

Deputy Minister Narend Singh holds up a ZO article on air pollution

“Thank you to the Zululand Observer. I was in the area some time ago, and I picked up the Zululand Observer and saw this article: ‘Airborne Alarm ‘ and the concerns residents had. This was on 27 March.

“I immediately contacted my pollution wing, and I said you need to deal with this particular issue, and they came up with a comprehensive report, which I shared with the president,” said the deputy minister.

“These are not abstract concerns; they affect health and quality of life. They affect the trust, most importantly the trust between industry and the people who live beside it,” said Singh.

He said clean air must not be the opposite of industrial development, but proof of it.

The deputy minister said a task team that will include the chamber, local municipalities and provincial government will be formed from next month to address the air pollution complaints and environmental concerns.

Monitoring and accountability

ZCCI president Hlengiwe Mvubu also emphasised the need for decisive measures to be undertaken to address non-compliance, improve monitoring and ensure accountability.

“There must be a national conversation about responsible industrialisation and environmental justice,” she said.

“Key issues include industrial air pollution. Emissions from certain industrial operations are affecting air quality in and around industrial and residential areas.

“The cumulative impacts of emissions from the multiple industrial operations need greater attention. Air quality monitoring must be strengthened and made more transparent.

“The concern is not only about today’s health impacts, but also about the prolonged exposure
and how the future generation is going to be impacted.”We cannot allow ourselves to reach a point where environmental damage becomes irreversible,” she said.

Deputy minister Narend Singh with ZCCI president Hlengiwe Mvubu

Mvubu further called for stronger regulation around coal dust management.

“We must ensure the economic value created by the local industry does not translate into an environmental burden carried by the surrounding communities,” she continued.

“The level of dust experienced in parts of Alton industrial area has become increasingly difficult for businesses.

“Businesses should not have to operate in an environment with excessive dust that affects their premises. It affects their employees and customers, and damages equipment.”

Call to action

Mvubu pleaded with the government to ensure compliance.

“Where businesses fail to comply, there must be meaningful consequences.

“Environmental regulation cannot be effective if non-compliance is cheaper than compliance.

“We therefore believe there is a need for frequent inspection, independent and credible environmental monitoring, stronger enforcement mechanisms, greater transparency around the pollution data, clear accountability for repeat offenders, meaningful penalties for non-compliance, stronger requirements for rehabilitation and remediation where the environmental damage occurs,” said Mvubu.

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