ANSAmed

(ANSAmed) - AMMAN, JUNE 16 - Environmental activists today called on the government to set a time line for relocating a cement factory in a popular town after growing concern of pollution and increased risk on health of residents, mainly children. The Jordan Cement Factory, owned by French giants LaFarge, is located at the heart of Fueihs, 10 km west Amman, and home to nearly 25,000 people, the majority are Christians in the Muslim country. "The government must pressure the French company to dismantle the factory and relocate to a non residential area," said Atef Dawood, head of Jordan's Environment society. Residents complain that cement dust pauses a grave danger on the health of town residents causing various illnesses including chronic asthma and cancer. The government has repeatedly promised to work on a schedule with the company to relocate it in the southern part of the kingdom, but Dawood believes little is being done to houner this commitment. "We need to be engaged in dialogue with the company to reach a tangible time line for putting an end to the suffering of town residents." The firm, which employees thousands of people, says setting up a new factory would be much cheaper than dismantling the current facility. Established in 1954, the cement factory has been at the centre of controversy between the government, which owned the factory until recently and town residents. The factory's recent expansion after it was soled to La Farge in 1988 has become a major concern after production was quadrupled under the new management. The firm said it has implemented a master plan to minimize hazardous effects of dust by planting trees in the vicinity of the factory and installing filters worth USD 10 million. (ANSAmed)