By Sani Bala Karo
In efforts to avertDangot Bans Chewing Sugarcane environmental hazards due to staff misconduct, the Numan factory of Ɗangote Sugar Refinery has banned workers from chewing sugarcane in the company:s premises.
This decision was contained in a circular addressed to all staff and workers by the Head of Human Resources, Mr. Ikechukwu Okorie describing the workers’ attitude as gross misconduct that could lead to summary disciplinary action.
The circular dated 7th April and sighted by this correspondent was tagged as the final warning which seems to be the latest among several others previously served. The circular stated in parts that “the cane is a company property with great value cost attached to it and that chewing cane and dropping the chaffs indiscriminately degrades the company environment hence messing up the house keeping efforts”.
It further reminds the staff that Ɗangote Sugar Refinery is a food industry that needs excellent housekeeping therefore littering chewed cane chaffs will not be not allowed.
Mr. Okorie further warns that “company security were on red alert and have been mandated to arrest anybody caught chewing company sugarcane and the perpetrators will be subjected to disciplinary action and prosecuted accordingly to recover the loss of important company asset” he said.
Commenting on this development, an environmental health professional in Abuja, Sanitarian Hussaini Abdulkadir, described the workers attitude as a general problem among factories and companies in Nigeria. He attributed the menace to failure of managements, in most cases, to properly implement planned and disposition system of waste and refuse.
He further added “managements in such places must ensure that workers are given good orientation on workplace ethics and guidance with respect to environmental rules to avoid embarrassment”.
He also warned that allowing such a practice causes industrial setback in terms of productivity and healthy manpower and worst of all, distorts aesthetic nature of company environment.
The Sanitarian advised companies to engage the services of Environmental Health Officers to always guide staff, plan and manage wastes and advise accordingly.
He commend Ɗangote Sugar Company for the swift action against the recalcitrant staff which constitute bad practice environmentally.
