For decades, there has been an on-going confrontation between the people of Wadi al-Qamar in Alexandria Governate and officials because of an illegal factory that has caused disease and cases of death in residents of the village.
In a development that may be considered a breakthrough in the crisis, on October 22, the Court of Administrative Justice in Alexandria issued the first ruling to close the factory and move it outside the populated area.
For decades, there has been an on-going confrontation between the people of Wadi al-Qamar in Alexandria Governate and officials because of an illegal factory that has caused disease and cases of death in residents of the village.
In a development that may be considered a breakthrough in the crisis, on October 22, the Court of Administrative Justice in Alexandria issued the first ruling to close the factory and move it outside the populated area.
The lawyer who filed the case, Ali Qasttawi, says that the court issued its decision to immediately move and close the factory because it is a threat to people’s lives. He says that the court states in its report, that the company has violated the laws and did not get any license to practice its activities in accordance with Law No. 21 of 1958, which provides for the organization of industry by the Industrial Development Authority.
But, this might not be the end. The residents of Wadi al-Qamar have been down a similar road before.
Alaa Badawi, a resident, says that they filed about five thousand complaints to the last three governors against the ‘Titan Portland Cement’ factory, in addition to the complaints they sent to the ousted President Hosni Mubarak and then to the Military Council when it ruled the country after the January 25th revolution. Recently, they have sent at least 30 complaints to President Mohamed Morsi. Their only demand is to transfer the factory to a desert area to save the lives of the population.
“Major General Abdulsalam Mahgoub, Major General Adel Labib, and Major General Osama Fouly, all are accused of strangling us with investors’ dust,” said Badawi. “The first has agreed on the continuation of the factory work, while the second did not decide to close the factory even though the Ministry of the Environment ruled that it should be closed in 2010. When Fouly saw people’s escalating anger, that they once stormed the factory, he issued a decision to close it, but the factory management refused to implement it and the governorate did not move.”
Abu Hussein: Inhaling cement has made me develop tuberculosis
Near ‘Allam’ Café located in Wadi al-Qamar, Abu Hussein Mohammed was leaning on a wooden sofa in front of the café. When you see him, you think at first glance he is an elderly man whose hard life has painted wrinkles on his face, but surprisingly he is only forty years old.
Abu Hussein recalls his story saying: “I have lived in Wadi al-Qamar for 30 years. I retired early last year for critical health situation as I was infected with tuberculosis and phthisis about five years ago due to air polluted with dust and cement emitted from the factory. My flat is directly opposite to it.”
“Government officials destroyed my life and wasted my family’s future because they have colluded not to close the factory. I only earn half a salary after retirement, which is 400 pounds, while I have a five-member family,” he adds.
Flagrant violation of all standards
Experts say that the factory site is inconsistent with the most basic health and environmental standards. Dr. Muhammad Allam, a public health professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Alexandria, argues that “the negative effects of cement dust reduce the efficiency of the respiratory system and cause chest allergy, bronchitis, end even tuberculosis.”
Dr Karim Montasser, a pollutants and environment expert at the Ministry of Environment, insists that the law of the Ministry of Environment states that factories of heavy industries and quarries must be located 60 kilometers far from the nearest residential area. “The improper administrative system in Egypt situated this factory amid urban space, which exposes children and adults to death, or to living with inhalers for the rest of their life.”
The judiciary intervenes
Will this be the knockout for the infringing company after decades of complaints, procrastination and suspended promises? Until now, the company has refused to comment on the ruling. On the other hand, Mohammed Atta, Governor of Alexandria, stated that a high-level committee was established of the representatives of the Governorate and the ministries of environment, industry and health to examine the factory file, insisting that in the coming days, the file would be closed in a manner satisfying the population.