Pure Biotech Company Ltd, a leading ethanol-producing company, has issued an apology to the people of Benue State for the discharge of untreated effluent with sludge from their facility into River Benue at Bezu village on the Makurdi-Gboko Road. The company promised that such negligence would never happen again.
In a statement released by the corporate communication and public relations manager, Stephen Numbeve, titled “Advancing, the Ethanol Industry Vs Pollution on Benue River – the True Story,” the company acknowledged the mistake and revealed that they have installed a N7.5 billion state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant (ETP) to ensure that all solid and liquid wastes are converted into biogas, fertilizer, and treated wastewater.
The company spokesperson lamented the huge loss the company incurred during the two-week sealing off of the facility by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), but emphasized that the most important thing is that the company has learnt its lesson.
The cassava used by Pure Biotech Company Ltd is mainly supplied by local farmers in over ten states, including Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger, Cross River, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, and Ondo. The company is also diversifying into production of high-quality animal feeds which will soon take off.
Pure Biotech Company Ltd’s apology comes in the wake of growing concerns about water pollution in the Benue River and its adverse effects on the health and livelihoods of the people. The company’s proactive efforts to prevent future occurrences and its commitment to converting waste into useful products show that it is taking the issue seriously.
As responsible corporate citizens, companies must ensure that their operations do not negatively impact the environment or the communities in which they operate. Pure Biotech Company Ltd’s apology and efforts to prevent future water pollution incidents are commendable and set a good example for other companies to follow.