[UAE, September 16, 2014] - The Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) ordered the suspension of a cement factory in Fujairah for one month due to violations of Cabinet Resolution No. (24) of 2011. The ministry is strictly implementing the relevant laws and regulations to promote environmental protection and sustainability.

Part of the ministry’s jurisdiction is to regulate cement field operations and to protect the environment and  the safety and health of residents as well. To monitor their activities, the ministry regularly conducts facility inspections in collaboration with local authorities.

 Ghanim Al Shamsi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of External Audit at the Ministry of Environment and Water, said:  “The decision came after our team visited the facility as part of its regular inspections  to monitor cement companies operating in the country. The inspection is in line with our initiatives to oversee these firms and ensure their strict compliance with the law.”

 Al Shamsi revealed that this is the first cement plant facility to be closed this year and this is the result of the ministry’s intensified efforts to strictly implement governing laws and regulations to achieve its strategic objective of protecting the environment and promoting sustainability.

 The ministry will regularly meet with concerned local authorities to coordinate joint visits to facilities to ensure the companies’ compliance with regulations and their commitment to meet government requirements.

 As part of the UAE Vision 2021, Al Shamsi added that the ministry is always assessing existing laws to ensure their relevance and efficiency.