Pollution: Benue ethanol company installs treatment plant

By Tosin Kolade

An ethanol- producing company, Pure Biotech Company Limited, has installed a state-of-the-art Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) to prevent the reoccurrence of wastewater contamination in the Benue River.

Mr Stephen Numbeve, Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Relations of the company, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

He said that the organisation took this giant step following the accidental discharge of untreated effluent (wastewater) into the Benue River.

NAN reports that the accidental discharge of untreated effluent with sludge into the river in Bezu Village where the factory is located led to severe pollution.

Environmental right groups and other stakeholders made calls to shut down the Chinese factory, following public outrage.

This was done by a team from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), security agencies and the state government.

Reacting to this, Numbeve said the organisation resolved to optimise its Environmental Management System (EMS) by completing its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

This, he said, has been approved and awaiting EIS certification by the Federal Ministry of Environment.

He said that the company had equipped its laboratory to ensure that product, effluent and air quality analysis were carried out to ensure that all parameters meet standards and regulations of relevant regulatory bodies.

“We are adopting circular economy approach to waste management. Now, all solid and liquid wastes are converted into bio-gas, fertiliser, and even the treated wastewater now is being recycled.

“Nothing is to be discharged into the environment or river, anymore. We encourage the general public to take a tour to the company and see things for yourselves.”

He said that the company was law abiding and would continually improve on its systems and programmes toward protecting the environment and human health.

“Pure Biotech Company Limited has invested a fortune to optimize her waste management mechanisms. Our vision is to become a leading environmental friendly company in Benue State and the North Central Nigeria.

“Pure Biotech Company Limited, beside the incident, is not discharging any effluent into the environment, river or any water body whatsoever.”

The spokesman said the company was implementing several Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, such as the provision of clean water, education, healthcare, farm support and employment opportunities for the indigenes.

(NAN)