AMMAN -- In a bid to end a long standing dispute with local residents, the Jordan Cement Factories Company (JCFC) has drawn up a master plan to improve environmental conditions at its 50- year-old factory in Fuheis, although environmentalists remain sceptical about its effectiveness.
The master plan, launched in December, includes an overall renovation of the factory and a proposal to use the quarries around the factory to build housing for its employees and local residents, said Mustafa Muhaisen, executive director for industrial development at the company.
"The initial plan was discussed five years ago, when the French company La Farge took over, but wasn't put into practice because of some technical difficulties. Now, however, we are waiting to hire a consultant office to finalise all the technical details," he explained.
"Under the master plan, loading trucks would enter and exit the factory premises from a different location, away from inhabited areas, to decrease the amount of noise," he added.
JCFC officials held several talks with the Fuheis Municipality and the Greater Amman Municipality regarding this plan and the possibility of constructing a tunnel connecting the factory directly with the Amman-Sweileh highway, instead of going through Fuheis, according to Muhaisen.
Fuheis Mayor Fouad Smearat pointed out that constructing a tunnel would ease the traffic and noise problem in the streets of Fuheis, but Yasser Akroush, head of the Fuheis branch of the Jordan Environment Society, argues that the tunnel would not solve the problem and an alternative road is the ultimate solution.
However, local environmentalists do not seem convinced with the plan altogether. "We have lived our whole lives with promises from the factory management to become more environmentally-friendly... but we have not seen anything in action," Akroush said.
Years ago, the same plan to plant trees around the factory was issued and, according to Akroush, a few trees were planted but did not survive.
"This plan did not work and will not work, because the soil is mostly made up of cement residue and dirt, which doesn't nurture plants."
Local environmentalists say that replacing defunct quarries with housing for the public is an illegal action to take, because these quarries are not JCFC property.
"This land is property of the residents... But the government can appropriate the land and use it for the benefit of the public, like constructing public parks, or they could be given back to their rightful owners," Akroush said.
The JCFC management is convinced that the plan will help relieve the tension between the company and Fuheis residents by establishing a buffer zone covered with trees between the factory and the surrounding areas, to insulate sound coming from the plant, according to Muhaisen.
The tension between the factory and Fuheis resident dates back to 1954, when the factory was established. The problem was magnified four years ago when JCFC decided to use petcoke instead of fuel and reduce costs by 75 per cent.
Since then, the inhabitants of Fuheis have organised protests and held talks with the government to pressure the factory to retract its decision.
Early this year, the Ministry of Environment issued a decision to prohibit the factory from using petcoke, which is full of heavy metals considered harmful to the environment and health.
Following a series of talks with the municipality, Mayor Smearat still finds the plan vague and far from comprehensive.
"We have to see some tangible proof for its effectiveness, though we welcome any action taken for the betterment of the Fuheis community," he said.
Milestones in petcoke dispute
November 2001 -- Environmentalists start campaign against JCFC after it decides to use petcoke as an alternative source of fuel.
December 2001 -- The government sets up a committee to examine the environmental effects of petcoke use.
March 2002 -- His Majesty King Abdullah urges authorities to take necessary measures to protect the environment in the Fuheis area.
The government committee, set up to in December, calls for halting infrastructure work on petcoke furnaces in the factory.
March 2004 -- The government says it is committed to improving the state of the environment in Fuheis.
December 2004 -- Representatives from Fuheis protest in front of the Ministry of Environment offices demanding immediate action against the factory.
January 2005 -- The Ministry of Environment issues a decision banning the plant from using petcoke.
By Reem Halasa
© Jordan Times 2005
