# Introduction has grappled for methods of measuring and disclosing environmental activities of man through its traditional role of recording and reporting financial information as well as managing environmental performance. So, accounting can perform an important role in relation to environmental issues. The inclusion of environmental dimension in the traditional accounting system at all levels (company, sector, government and nation-wide) will result in adjustment to economic indicators. This will enable different users of financial statements, at all levels, to take sound decisions that support sustainable development. Sustainable development demands responsible behaviour in relation to natural resources and the environment in general (Owolabi, 2007;Olatunji, 2012). The establishment of the cement production plant at Ewekoro has both beneficial and adverse effects for the environment and its inhabitants. The environmental impacts can be described as adverse while the economic impacts are beneficial. These impacts could include pressure on local housing, market and increase in community conflict and crime, degradation of ecosystems and elimination of traditional means of livelihood. However, the creation of supporting social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and so on may transform a previously remote area and investment in transport facilities may improve accessibility to other centers of economic activities, further enhancing its prospect for development. Cement is the most common and widely used building material in the world and its by-product concentrate is the second most consumed substance universally after water. Unlike in areas where close substitutes like brick are used in the construction industry, cement constitutes over 95 percent inputs of basic infrastructural developments in Nigeria. The air pollution encountered in cement production has however been a source of major concern in the sustainability of rural livelihoods especially with regard to food crop production. Studies in Tanzania revealed that symptoms of heavy metal poisoning such as sensory disturbance, hyporeflexia, tremor, gingivitis, metallic taste, neuroasthenia and night blindness are common (Harada, Nakachi, Cheu, Hamada, Ono, Tsuda, Yanagida, Kizuki and Ohno, a) Background to the Study here is increasing interest in environmental protection at all levels and across climes such that environmental regulations and methodologies for enforcement, in most countries, are becoming rapidly outdated. This poses a challenge to accounting which T 1999). In the last five years, studies on environmental impact of limestone mining and processing in Sagamu (Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria) have revealed a declining kola nut output from the plantations within a few kilometers radius of the cement factory (Adekoya, 2003;Aigbedion, 2005). It is therefore, with the background of the economic and environmental issues faced by residents of Ewekoro that this study sets out to account for environmental and economic consequences of cement production pollution in the society, specifically to inhabitants of Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun state. # b) Statement of the Problem Manufacturing companies, whether private or government owned, engage in production activities for the purpose of making profit. This however, possesses a great deal of threat to the environment and human economic survival. Governments in recent times from the national to the local level have evolved ways of combating the effects of industrial pollution. This has the governments to set up bodies and programmes to reduce the effects of industrial pollution on the society. The quest for industrial growth has led to increased number of industries and hence increases of industrial pollution. Makoju (2010) wrote that Nigeria with its population of over 150 million people presents a hugemarket for any good product, cement inclusive. Nigeria is abundantly endowed with the basic input into cement manufacturing with the exception of gypsum which only occurs in thin-vein layer (Mojekwu, Idowu and Sode, 2013). Lafarge WAPCO Cement Plc, whose establishment in Ewekoro Local Government Area has created lots of problems to the inhabitants since 1957 when lots of cement dust had been emitted into the environment there by affecting the host communities. The attention of this research here is to account for the impact of these pollutants on the environment and economy of host communities in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. # c) Research Questions The Review of Related Literature Jacob (2014), defines industrial pollution as the contamination of a substance from its pure state. GESAMP (1972), describes pollution as the introduction of substances liable to cause hazard to human health, to living resources and ecological system, damage to structures, or amenity; or interference with legitimate use of environment. Hence from the afore stated, industrial pollution can be said to be that in which substances like carbon monoxide, light, heat, noise and steam, gaseous and other solid substances agents are released from the activity of the industry or industries that contaminate or pollutes an environment. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, pollution of the biosphere with toxic metals has accelerated dramatically. Increasing industrialization and population develops the standard of living, which results in highly contaminated atmosphere due to the release of waste from these industries (Tiwari, Tiwari and Pande, 2008). Industrialization plays an important role in polluting the environment and causes severe degradation in pedosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Water used in industries create waste that has potential hazard for our environment because of the introduction of various contaminants such as heavy metals into soil and water resources (Azumi and Bichi, 2010). The release of pollutants differ from industry to industry. The waste from the pulp industry mainly contain carbohydrates, textile industry contain dyes , plating industry contain nickel and leather tanning wastes contain mainly chromium, zinc, copper, sulphides, carbonates, sodium and many other toxic organic compounds and inorganic compounds (Nouri, Khorasani, Lorestani, Karami, Hassani and Yousefi, 2009). The residents of Ewekoro Local Government Area are local traders and basically farmers, their farming and petty trading as well as other economic activities suffer the great fate from the Lafarge WAPCO cement plant production activities. Umoh and Mosimabale (2002) are of the view that the earth is an ecosystem of natural habitats which provides basic resources for the growth of man. However, it has been confronted with the threats of contamination more from man than from natural disasters the world over. Umoh's view confirms why and how factories and other destructive technological inventions pollute the air, contaminates food and the environment (Jacob, 2014). One major result of industrial pollution is the migration of people from the areas where these industries are located to distant lands. This has led to overcrowding and unhygienic conditions as it is seen in major cities in Nigeria (Ajene, 2007). Additionally, the issue of industrial pollution has affected the social life of the people in diverse ways, one of such is the contamination of water as a result of industrial waste, streams and rivers are contaminated which affects the swimming activities of the communities thereby impending on their social life (Effiong, 1980). The consequences of industrial pollution affects man's social activities in divers ways which thwarts man's development and social achievements, this is because of industrialization really contributed adversely to the present problems of environmental pollution which exercise deleterious effects on our physical development, health and survival. The steady progress in the field of science and technology has contributed adversely to the present problems of environmental pollution which has serious effects on the social and economic activities of the people. The influx of automobiles and indiscriminate location of industries are constantly contaminating the air, water and land faster with their smokes, fumes, noise and other wastes than nature and our effort to clean and probably handle them. Pollution has even become a great problem in most Nigeria towns and cities because our modern way of life produces vast quantities of waste matter. When the accumulation of such waste cannot be dissipated, pollution is definitely the result. These waste cause pollution because they affect the health of individuals, animals and plants which in turn adversely alters the balance of nature (Glasson, Therivel and Chadwick, 1994). Berry (1984) affirms that, pollution apart from endangering the health of man and other living things also constitute an economic waste of natural resources and even retard purposeful developments. The overall productivity of crop plant is reduced by the most forms of air pollution and when combined with other environmental stresses, such as low winter temperatures or prolonged droughts, pollution causes plant to decline and die. Olatunji (2013a), opined that effective resource management can be enhanced when the true cost of production with its consequent value to society is known. Environmental accounting serves as an effective tool for costing production in real terms while disclosing the hidden elements involved in generating the income. After all, it is what we count that we value and what we value is what we treasure. He further described environmental accounting as "an integrated approach, which examines the interrelationship between accounting, the environment and management # Methodology The methodology adopted for this study is basically a descriptive research wherein answers are sought for some research questions and the outcome interpreted to highlight policy implications. # a) Study Area The study area is Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun state where Lafarge WAPCO cement factory is located. Its headquarters are in the town of Itori at 6°56?N 3°13?E/6. # b) Source of Data, Data Collection and Sampling Techniques Data for this study was sourced through primary sources by the use of questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed following the 5-point Likert scale. Respondents were required to provide their socio economic details, as well as make choices on a five point scale in respect of environmental impacts perceived. One hundred and fifty (150) respondents were selected from the immediate environment of the factory using cluster sampling, in line with Bailey (1994) who recommended a minimum sample size of one hundred (100) respondents being sufficient for most researches. It is also in line with Roscoe Rule of Thumb that states that a sample size between thirty (30) and five hundred (500) is sufficient (Robin, 2012). This sampling procedure is most suitable for this kind of study where the location is quite large, and the settlements are scattered. The cluster sampling affords every member of the population an opportunity of being selected for the study. # c) Methods of Data Analysis Descriptive statistics was employed to present the socioeconomic data of the respondents using frequency tables and percentages. The impacts of pollution on farm produce, water sources and the general economic wellbeing of the inhabitants were explored. Data collected was analysed presented using simple percentages and inferences were made using the Chi-Square (? 2 ) statistic. # IV. # Results and Discussion # a) Socioeconomic Characteristics of Respondents The socioeconomic variable considered relevant to the study were age, gender, education and occupation. These are presented in table 1. # i. Age Distribution of Respondents The Age distribution in the study area was depicted in table 1, which classified respondents into three categories beginning from 18 years. Children below 18 years of age were excluded as they are considered too young to participate. The categorization gave 84% as falling between 18 and 40 years old. These represent the active population while those from the age of 40 years and above were 16% as shown in figure 1. # Source: Field Survey, 2017 # ii. Gender of Respondents Respondents comprised of 62% male and 38% female. More male respondents were available and willing to participate in the survey than female (as show in figure 2) The significance of gender in the survey participation reflected in the assessment of water economic related variables. The table shows the occupational distribution of the respondents indicating that farming activities is the dominant occupation of inhabitants of Ewekoro Local Government Area with a population of 57 representing above 50% of the total respondents. Trading is next with 26% while paid employment (private and government) is 24% as shown in figure 4. This implies that, majority of the population are people who engage in farming and agriculture on full time basis. Their knowledge about industrial pollution is vital, since the pollution from the cement industry may actually affect their farming activities in the area. # d) Respondents Perception on the Effect of Cement Production on the Environment From table 2, the respondents perception of the effects of cement production on the environment was as follows: 83 respondents (75%) observed poor crop yield in their various farms as a result of cement manufacture. This situation has brought untold hardship to them in terms of income from Agriculture which used to be the mainstay of the entire Ewekoro Local Government Area. Also pollution of waterways as a result of cement production activities which has led to the destruction of most of the marine bionetwork; with 57 (50%) respondents showing knowledge of this activity. Again 100 respondents representing about 91% of the total respondents responded that cement production in the community has led to continuous rusting of their roofing sheet, while 75 respondents representing 68% showed that the air is being polluted leading to acid rain. 85 respondents (77%) attribute water pollution to cement production in their environment. Data on the environmental impacts of cement production on the environment in Ewekoro with respect to the four key variables were analysed using Chi-Square (? 2 ) statistics. The results show that all four variables identified as impacts were significant at 5% level of significance. i. The Chi Square computed was 93.839 for the relationship between cement production and damage to farms with a p-value < 0.05. This implies that there is significant relationship between the cement production pollutions and the poor yield on farms. ii. The computed ? 2 for the impact of cement production and pollution on marine life destruction is given as 31.764 with a p-value < 0.05 implying that there is significant relationship between cement production and destruction of marine life. iii. The computed ? 2 for the impact of cement production on rusty rooftops gave 164.1, the pvalue is < 0.05. this implies an overwhelming consensus of respondents that there is significant relationship between cement production on the rusty rooftops. iv. When air pollution is considered, the ? 2 computed for this impact was 71.582, with a p-value < 0.05 showing strong relationship between cement production and contaminated air. v. Water pollution was examined. The computed ? 2 for this impact was 93.836, having a p-value < 0.05, implying that there is significant relationship between cement production and water pollution. f) Discussion of Findings Diverse statistics on the impacts of cement production on the local communities were shown in terms of degradation of farmlands, marine life, roof tops, air and water pollutions. Opinions of respondents show that these externalities are significantly associated to the production of cement. Various authorities have written on the roles of externality in measuring productive outcomes. Prominent among them is Kuznet who wrote inverted-U hypothesis in which he related the concern for welfare to poverty levels. This in itself describes the attitude of producer in relation to social welfare which has in turn been responsible for agitations of all sorts across the world. Umoh and Mosimabale (2002) are of the view that the earth has been confronted with the threats of contamination more from man than from natural disasters the world over. Olatunji, 2013b). Accounting for the environmental costs of cement production may be difficult to measure and thus need to identify existing environmental burdens through surveys similar to what has been done in this study. # V. Conclusion and Recommendations From this study, a number of conclusions have been reached: Cement production in Ewekoro have been ongoing since late 1960. For much of this period industrial pollution from activities of cement production plants have been a major factor affecting the environment and economic development of the inhabitants of the Local Government Area. The main objective of the study is to investigate the environmental and economic effect of industrial pollution on the host Communities. This study revealed that industrial pollution impact negatively on the lives of the people of Ewekoro, as this goes a long way in distorting their natural environment and economic development. Therefore, it is imperative that the National Environmental Standards Regulating and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) should ensure strict compliance to the policies regulating the disposal of industrial waste and that penalty be imposed on violators. Furthermore, the hygienic treatment of all disposable chemicals of all forms must be made a matter of necessity. There should be taxes imposed to deter toxicity. Remediation efforts should include toxic magneting devices fixed to the dust or fume exhaust pipe to reduce release of dust to the air and, scholarships made to indigenes of the community to enable them get educated enough to gain employments in such organizations in order for them to take care of themselves. Loans and agricultural inputs should be provided to farmers to boost their agricultural productivity. ![933°N 3.2167°E. It has an area of 594 km² and a population of 55,156 at the 2006 census. The Local Government is bounded by Yewa South Local Government in the west, Ifo Local Government in the south, Abeokuta North in the north and Obafemi Owode in the east. The composite division that makes up the local government area are; Itori, Owowo, Mosan, Abalabi, Wasimi, Papalanto, Arigbajo, Obada, Yobo and Elere Onigbendu.](image-2.png "") information, decision -making and accountability. It isan extension of the scope of conventional accounting toinclude practical environmental and economicimplicationsoftheconceptsofcorporatesustainability"(EPA. 1995; Schatlegger and Burrit. 2000,Olatunji, 2013). Association of Chartered CertifiedAccountants, (2001) observes that it is inconceivable toconsider environmental accounting without thinking ofsustainability of enterprise or nations, and this serves asthe dividing line between environmental accounting andconventionalcostandfinancialaccounting(UNDSD/DESA,2001;III. 1Socio-Economic CharacteristicsFrequencyPercentageCumulative%Age of Respondents18-2833303029-3959548440 and above1816100Gender of RespondentsMale686262Female4238100Respondents Levels of EducationNo Formal Education211919Primary Education Completed171534Secondary Education Completed484478Tertiary Education Completed2422100Respondents' OccupationFarming575050Trading292676Paid Employment2424100Source: Research Survey, (2016) 2Perceived EffectsAgree%Disagree%Undecided%Total%Destruction of farm8375242233110100Endanger marine life57524339109110100Rust of Roofing Sheets100914465110100Air Pollution7568322933110100Water Pollution8577211944110100Source: Research Survey, (2016)D Figure 5 : 3farmMarineroofAirwaterChi-Square93.836 a31.764 a1.641E2 a71.582 a93.836 aDf22222Asymp. 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