More than 400 workers of United Steel Company have been laid off following the shutdown of the company by the government.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closed down the steel manufacturing firm within the Free Zones enclave at Tema, over its failure to adhere to a directive by the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology to find ways of addressing air pollution from its activities.

Speaking to journalists during a tour of the facility by the EPA, the Executive Director, Henry Kokofu, said despite the economic benefits derived from the operation of the factory, it will remain closed until management fixes its pollution challenges.

“400 workers sitting at home is not a pleasant situation. As much as we want our young men and women to work, as much as we want the needed revenue to come in the form of taxes and all that, we cannot compromise on the integrity of the environment. Pollution and all others, we know the consequences that they bring, so we will work within the law,” he justified the decision to shut down the factory.

The EPA gave the firm till January 31, 2020, to fix air pollutant systems to reduce pollution in the atmosphere.

A visit to the manufacturing site by officials of the EPA and some National Security operatives showed that the company had not met the deadline, leading to its closure.

The World Health Organisation has estimated that air pollution from all sources caused about 28,000 deaths in 2016.

According to WHO, outdoor pollution caused 2,000 deaths in 2017.