The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given candy manufacturing company, Royal Sweets Limited, a six-month- notice to relocate from Akweteyman.
The company is expected to submit a relocation plan to the EPA within that period as it continues operations.
“We have given them notice to relocate within six months. Within that period, they are supposed to submit a relocation plan and then also take steps to move from the place because of the changes that have occurred in the place,” the Deputy Executive Director of the EPA, Ebenezer Appah-Sampon told Citi News.
Three weeks ago, the EPA issued a ban on the operations of the factory over the emission of excessive smoke after a Citi News report on the residents there.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Okaikwei North Municipality, Boi Laryea also told Citi News that a committee had been set up to investigate reports of the air pollution.
Since then the situation has improved according to some of the residents.
“Regarding the smoke, we don’t really see the smoke as before anymore. You will see smoke at dawn around 5 am but during the day, you don’t really see smoke,” one of them said to Citi News.
This is in line with the companies claim it had reviewed operations to make sure that its boiler emits smoke for only two minutes once a day for five days of the week to control air pollution.
But residents say there is some stench accompanying the turning on of the machines in the morning.
The company has been operating since 2001 with a staff strength of 85.
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By: Caleb Kudah | citinewsroom.com | Ghana