People set up tents to guard pollution: Factory suddenly asks to resume operations

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Authorities have yet to conclude on handling violations, and residents are still setting up tents to monitor pollution; however, the Elmaco cassava starch export factory has unexpectedly requested to resume operations, causing concern among the people.

On January 14, a representative of the Department of Environment and Islands, Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ninh Binh province, said that until now, there have been no results of analysis of test samples taken from Elmaco Cassava Starch Export Factory (Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh).

The Elmaco cassava starch export factory area (Photo: Thai Ba).

Previously, a team from the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, in coordination with other relevant agencies, conducted an inspection of the Elmaco cassava starch export factory's compliance with environmental protection laws. The inspection team took samples and sent them for analysis more than a month ago.

According to the head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ninh Binh province, authorities have discovered a large quantity of waste from cassava raw materials that was improperly buried in several locations within the factory premises.

"The inspection team has taken samples and analyzed the factory's environment and collected samples of domestic water from some houses and neighboring areas to analyze and evaluate the indicators. Some indicators are still waiting for analysis results, so there is no conclusion on violations and handling measures yet," said the leader of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ninh Binh province.

Locals have been setting up tents to monitor the operation of the cassava starch factory for over a month (Photo: Thai Ba).

While authorities have yet to reach a conclusion or take action regarding the violations, on January 8th, the Elmaco cassava starch export factory unexpectedly sent a document to the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Nho Quan District People's Committee requesting permission to resume operations. This has caused great concern among the local people.

Mr. Le Van Minh, head of Xat village, Phuc Son commune (formed by the merger of Son Lai and Son Ha communes), said that for more than a month, residents have been setting up tents near the factory gate and stationing people 24/7 to prevent the factory from importing raw materials for production.

"The people of Xat and Me villages hope that the authorities will soon reach a conclusion and take measures to handle the factory's violations of environmental protection laws, so that the people can live in peace," Mr. Minh said.

Dozens of households are protesting vehemently against the operation of the cassava starch factory, which they believe is causing pollution (Photo: Thai Ba).

Speaking to the press, the leaders of Nho Quan District People's Committee stated that the Elmaco cassava starch export factory cannot yet begin operations because the inspection team has not yet reached a conclusion.

"Once the inspection team concludes that the factory has committed specific violations, corrective action must be taken and remedial measures required before considering its resumption of operations," a leader of the Nho Quan District People's Committee informed.

Previously, Dan Tri newspaper reported that in late November 2024, hundreds of households in Son Lai commune (now Phuc Son commune), Nho Quan district, set up tents to protest against the environmental pollution caused by the Elmaco cassava starch export factory.

During the production process, this factory emitted a strong stench that made people unable to bear. In addition, people also discovered that this factory buried waste after production within the premises, and discharged wastewater into irrigation canals for people's production.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/vu-dan-dung-leu-canh-o-nhiem-nha-may-bat-ngo-xin-hoat-dong-tro-lai-20250114081816565.htm