Regarding the fact that people in Xat and Me villages (Son Lai commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province) set up tents and hung banners in front of the Elmaco Ninh Binh cassava starch processing factory to protest because they believed that the factory discharged waste causing environmental pollution, on December 3, talking to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ninh Binh province said that in 2 days (December 2 and 3), the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ninh Binh province coordinated with the Provincial Police, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Planning and Investment together with the People's Committee of Nho Quan district and the authorities of Son Lai commune to inspect the factory's compliance with environmental protection laws.
Through initial inspection, the authorities discovered a large amount of waste from cassava materials buried illegally in several locations within the factory grounds.
"Currently, the authorities have drawn up a report and are determining the specific volume to take action," said Mr. Dung.
According to Mr. Dung, in addition to checking legal documents and implementing environmental protection regulations, the inspection team also collected and analyzed the environment of the Factory and collected domestic water samples from some houses and neighboring areas to analyze and evaluate the indicators.
"After having the results of analysis and evaluation of water sample indicators as well as determining the exact amount of waste that the Factory has buried improperly, we will base on that to handle it," said Mr. Dung.
Previously, Lao Dong Newspaper published an article "Cassava starch processing factory discharges waste causing environmental pollution" reflecting the fact that people in Xat and Me villages (Son Lai commune, Nho Quan district) set up tents, hung banners and assigned people to be on duty 24/7 in front of the cassava factory gate to protest because they believed that the factory's operations and discharges waste causing environmental pollution.
Mr. Le Van Minh - Head of Xat village said that because of their frustration, on November 24, people from Xat and Me villages gathered and set up tents in front of the factory gate, demanding that operations be stopped and that measures be taken to treat waste and wastewater to ensure environmental protection.
"Currently, people are still setting up tents, assigning people to watch and monitor 24/7. If they discover a vehicle carrying cassava into the factory, people will report to the local authorities to make a record," said Mr. Minh.
