Tema, July 05, GNA -- The Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Steven Asamoah-Boateng, has issued a 28-day ultimatum to the Food Processors International Ghana Limited to regularize its operations to avoid a close-down.

Issuing the order, he indicated that, the company has defaulted in adhering to several warnings from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regularize its operations and renew the agency's permit as well as pay its fee to the Ghana Free Zone Board.

` Mr Asamoah-Boateng noted that, the EPA wrote several letters from April 25, 2003 to June 25, 2007 advising the six-year old company to close down a nd standardize the issues raised by the Agency but all to no avail. Accompanied by the Executive Director of EPA, Mr Jonathan Allotey and other officials, the Environmental Minister inspected the factory which has flies hovering over palm nuts and garden eggs being processed for export.

In addition, the floor of the factory which was very slippery has stagnant water all over while the factory hands parking the products 'Ghana Fresh - palm nut cream concentrated and garden eggs) which has no batch number and expiring date, were dressed in their house attire and in bathroom slippers.

Instead of disposing the waste products of the palm nut properly, the company deposits it about twenty meters in front of the factory. Mr. Asamoah-Boateng issued another 28-day ultimatum to Thresh Hold Concrete Products Limited at Djorwulu to relocate the factory from the residential area or face being closed down.

The company, which originally obtained permit from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to use the premises for a furniture showroom is now being used for the production of concrete blocks. Advising management of the company to relocate to another site, the Minister noted that, the location of the company is posing health hazards to the residents and guests of the Fiesta Royale Hotel situated opposite it.

At Nii Boi Town, Mr Samuel Quist Sasou, a private operator of a public place of convenience was advised by the Minister to seek directives from the AMA and EPA or seize operations. An inspection by the Minister and the EPA officials revealed that, the human waste from his place of convenience has been channeled into a drain which was creating serious health hazards to residents as food were being sold beside it while a school has been sited directly opposite it.