Project Title:

Environmental Compliance Audit for the Biscuit Manufacturing Factory on Plots 460 – 461 Block 101 along Musoke Close in Wattuba Cell, Wattuba Ward, Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District.

Client

Balaji Group (EA) Limited

Project Type:

Environmental Compliance Audit

Sector

Industry

Detailed description of the project

Services;

Balaji Group (EA) Limited (BGL) owns and operates a biscuit manufacturing factory at Wattuba Cell within Kasangati Town Council.  The facility commenced operations in 2014.   This was after acquisition of all regulatory permits pertaining to manufacturing plants in Uganda. It currently has a capacity to produce 7300 metric tonnes annually and has about 150 employees working in two shifts (day and night). They produce a variety of biscuit products i.e Atis and Marie Brands (glucose and letter biscuits in a number of flavours - chocolate, orange, strawberry, pineapple and milk-energy).

Gissat was contracted by Balaji Group (EA) Limited to conduct an audit for the biscuit manufacturing factory to fulfill the requirement of the National Environment Act.

The audit aimed at determining the compliance status of the factory with environmental and health regulatory requirements, relevant permits, licenses and approval conditions. Furthermore, it also aimed at;

1. Identifying present inadequacies in environmental management, and occupational health and safety issues at the facility including pollution if any and its potential clean-up costs.
2. Determining the need for remedial actions necessary to bring the facility into compliance with national and international regulatory and performance requirements.
3. Recommending actions to be taken to improve and strengthen BGL’s environmental, health and safety management.
4. Preparing an Environmental Corrective Action Plan (ECAP) to address any non-compliance with existing legislative requirements for environment, health and safety.

Gissat conducted the environmental audit using primarily existing information and reports produced under Balaji Group, interviews with the Project contractor, and personal observation at the site.

Spot checks in the form of samples were also done with regard to noise emission and to verify that pollution control equipment onsite is functional and in compliance with requirements of the remedial action plan and to triangulate information obtained through interviews.

Gissat considered the flowing issues while conducting the audits;

• Air and Noise pollution
• Wastewater and solid management
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Emergency preparedness and fire prevention
• General handling of chemicals