Without concern, Dangote and BUA cement factories are destroying the environment and health of residents in Okpella, Edo state.
For this reporter, her long trip to Okpella BUA Cement production plant, and Dangote Cement factory was a rude shock filled with mixed feelings. The atmosphere was filled with Silica Dust. This raised the question on how the residents in this community are daily surviving with such daily ingestion of silica dust polluted environment in Okpella community
Okpella community in Edo state
Okpella is a community, located in the Etsako Local Government Area in Edo State with a population of 20,512 people. Okpella is a kingdom situated along Benin-Abuja federal highway and one of the three main towns that make up Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. In view of the abundance of other solid minerals, it is home to several granite- and marble-making industries, which gives the community a vibrant industrial outlook.
Despite being one of the major communities that contributes to the economic sustenance of Edo, the community remains the most unattended to in terms of infrastructural development, said the spokesman of the community, chief Richard David. The Okpella community also suffers from a lack of well-equipped health Centre that can meet basic health demands of an average modern day citizen.
Impact of silica dust on both factory workers and residents of Okpella communities
Most residents and workers who spoke with our reporter, disclosed that the majority of them encounter and are frequently exposed to various health challenges as a result of the Silica dust that is released into the atmosphere during production of cement by BUA and Dangote Cement factories. On a visit to Okpella Community by our reporter, she observed the environment was filled with cloudy dust and made breathing difficult. The situation becomes unbearable when cement production is ongoing.
Silica dust(PC: Zehinder)
After excessive exposure to Silica dust, which affects respiratory organs, residents and workers, especially those living in close proximity to these factories rely on self-medication from the “chemist shop” due to lack of good health facilities in Okpella community.
A source disclosed to our reporter, “the medical facility in the community does not have a resident doctor”. Further danger and health hazards revealed to our reporter was that the Silica dust which emanates during the production of BUA and Dangote Cement productions, is not limited to air pollution but also includes water pollution which leaves some dirty stains on residents’ bathroom tiles after it’s used for bathing/washing.
A factory worker, who spoke with our reporter, who pleaded to be anonymous because of witch hunting narrated how the excess inhale of Silica dust almost took his life during working hours in production of cement. “My ordeal began with general body weakness, my eyes became blurry and the next thing I knew was that I ended up on a hospital admission bed. I was told that I collapsed during production”, said this source.
Another source also claimed “Ever since I have been working in one of the cement factories I observed that using the nose mask, provided by the management, which was supposed to serve as safety guard for workers from inhaling Silica dust, had not proven to be effective at the long run
Danger hazard in the air and attendant threat to life
During an interview with a toxicologist, it was disclosed to our reporter that while the production is ongoing there is an excess release of dust due to the nature of raw material. Furthermore, the quality of air found in the atmosphere poses a threat to residents in Okpella community as the air they inhale is highly polluted.
The toxicologist noted that air pollution from cement Plants contains Particulate Matter [PM], Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur dioxide (So2), Volatile Organic Compounds and Ozone (03). Silica dust causes Silicosis and fatal lung disease. The presence of Chromium Compounds can lead to Cancer in humans. Silica dust is 100 times smaller than grain of sand and it can lead to health implications if not treated urgently on humans who constantly inhale this harmful substance into the body. Cancer Council, a cancer professionals’ platform also affirms the position of the toxicology.
Health implication of silica dust
Our reporter who spoke with a health expert, Mrs Oluwatosin Ajah during visitation, explained the symptoms of Silica dust to humans which includes coughing, phlegm, wheezing and dyspnea. She further stated that most residents and workers from the cement factory experience health challenges and most of them visit the hospital when they are strongly affected by the Silica dust, especially those working at the loading belt.
She advises that after a long hour of exposure, factory workers or residents should visit the hospital for regular check-up so as to monitor and reduce the health implication of the Silica dust in their system.
Efforts to get BUA and Dangote factories management views
When this reporter visited BUA Cement factory in Okpella, on the 20th of August 2023. Our reporter was not given access to the hospital provided by BUA after being identified as a journalist. A letter of identification was demanded, which was supplied immediately, received and stamped. After weeks of follow up and as of the time of writing this report our report never got a response from the BUA Cement factory.
This reporter also visited Dangote Cement factory in Okpella. She was asked by the security unit to submit a letter to the admin before access and interview can be granted. Despite fulfilling this condition, constant engagement with the security to gain entrance have not yielded any result.
Meanwhile Dangote cement in its 2022 Sustainability report make a bold claim that it does its cement according to international environmental standard. That is yet to be seen with serious air pollution its production is causing Okpella community dwellers,
Edo Ministry of health intervention
However, Mrs. Ajah said, “the Ministry of Health has been able to make some environmental evaluation on the air and water pollution which is caused by the Silica dust particles, the emission from the factory on the residents and factory workers” She appeals that the government should remember the people who resides in Okpella Community and Provide preventive measures so as to reduce the health challenges.
Efforts to reach Ministry of health, Edo state
The reporter’s effort to reach the ministry of health in Edo state with regards to access the update on the report of the evaluation done or the air or preventive measures that can safeguard Okpella residents did not yield result. The reporter, after several calls on the official lines on the website, also sent a letter requesting information. The reporter’s mail was delivered but blocked by the Ministry.
In this reporter’s research, it has been suggested “the mandatory limit for silica dust exposure in Australia is 0.05mg/m3 averaged over an eight-hour day, although the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) have recommended this be limited to 0.025 mg/m”
To help workers and residents, it is also suggested exposure of people should be monitored and a constant air monitoring should be periodically carried out by occupational hygienist certified by a recognised International certification scheme. One can only wonder if these processes are followed often or periodically.
The way forward
The principle of Environment, Social and governance(ESG) that these two cement factories signed and promised to uphold as a private entity is questionable. How long can the government wait to see a long term damage to the health of such a population of Nigerian citizens need a lot of concern, It is time to act before it is too late
