Tempers flared at a public participation meeting at Ottawa Community Hall on Wednesday, November 20, where residents vehemently rejected the scrap cans melting plant planned for Sugarcane Road by Afro India Rolling Mills.
At the meeting, Beena Devi Singh, a representative of the residents of Pinewood Road, read out a statement of concerns compiled by the residents of Pinewood Road and the Ottawa Environmental Forum. The document highlighted various points of contention, including environmental concerns that the plant may cause pollution and alleged discrepancies in the application process.
One of the major questions raised by residents was the ownership of properties. Residents allege that Afro India Rolling Mills, the former owner Sunrise Iron and Steel Company, and Swades Investments CC, who allegedly hold the properties under deed of transfer, have not been transparent regarding land ownership and the correctness of the application, misleading stakeholders.
The property has been categorised as ‘light industrial’, and residents claim that ‘light industrial’ is defined as an industry that can be carried out without causing a nuisance to other properties or the general public. They argue that the plant does not meet this description.
Residents also claim that the newspaper publications in which the notices were published do not circulate in Ottawa and Parkgate, and that no notices were placed on site or circulated to businesses and residents on Pinewood Road.
Imraan Omar, Facility Manager for Afro India Rolling Mills’ Congella Plant, stated that Afro India Rolling Mills has applied for waste management and air emissions licenses to open a plant in the area that melts aluminium cans into ingots for export.
“We started the process in May 2022, completing applications with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the municipality, then placed notices in newspaper publications to be seen by the public,” Omar said.
After receiving the waste management license in July 2023, Afro India Rolling Mills began construction on the project. However, in early 2024, they had to reapply for the air emissions license, once again placing notices in newspapers to alert the public. Omar claimed that the company has followed proper procedures.
Another concern raised by the community is the environmental impact and community safety concerns the plant is expected to have, both through emissions from the factory and increased road use. However, Omar alleged that the plant already has pollution control systems in place, which they have experience with from their plant in Congella.
He claimed that the technology in place monitors, controls, and adheres to municipal norms. Omar stated that the plant will benefit the community, “This plant is probably going to bring in between 150 to 200 jobs into the area. The company is a level 4 BEE company, meaning we have money for socioeconomic development, supplier development, bursaries and more,” he explained.
ANC member and community activist, Azad Seedat expressed support for the project, stating that it will bring job opportunities and benefit the community. “We feel there is nothing untoward happening at the site in question. For as long as I can remember, it has always been a scrapyard with work of this kind being done there. We have no objection to this plant.”
However, Ward 102 Councillor Rory Macpherson held a different view. He said, “This is a victory for the residents of Ottawa, as this is now going to be looked at more deeply than I think it had before. As the Democratic Alliance, we welcome new development, but any new investment must come in terms of proper planning. From what I can see, this was rushed through and not necessarily well thought through. It would seem the consultation processes were not as robust as they should be.”
