We’re Not Polluting Rivers Environment, Indorama Declares

Indorama-Eleme Petrochemicals Limited has restated its commitment to zero-harm, safe and healthy environment by implementing effective environment management system as an integral part of its operations.

The firm said its operations do not in any way pollute the environment as they were environment-friendly.

Indorama’s head of corporate communications, Dr Jossy Nkwocha, spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State when he responded to a claim by a group, the Alliance for the Defence of Eleme (ADE), that there is a subsisting court order at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt with Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/23/2024, restraining the company from further pollution of the environment.

Nkwocha said the company was putting more efforts into continual improvement of the environmental systems and performance.

He said, “As a responsible corporate organization, we do not intend to make comments on a matter in Court but since the above-mentioned group of persons have already put this matter in the public space through the media, we just wish to publicly reassure our financial partners, government agencies, host communities, and other stakeholders that our operations are environment friendly and have been operated under national and international standards.

“While it is true that the court had issued an ex-parte order, which order has since expired by effluxion of time, that order only required Indorama to ensure that its operations do not lead to the pollution of the environment pending determination of the motion on notice.

“On April 17, 2024 when the matter came up, the court ordered parties to file pleadings and made no reference to any order, because as of the moment, there is no subsisting order whatsoever against Indorama.

“As we have painstakingly shown you during the facility tour and the detailed presentation on our environmental management system, Indorama, being a responsible corporate citizen, is committed to the goal of zero harm, safe and healthy environment by implementing effective environment management system as an integral part of her operations.

“To achieve our commitment, we have implemented a robust Environment Management and Monitoring System, and the environmental performance is acknowledged by Regulators and Lenders. We are putting efforts into continual improvement of our environmental systems and performance.”

Nkwocha stated that Indorama complies with all applicable national and state environmental regulations and adherence to good international best practices, pointing out that environmental performance is the major criteria considered for plant technology selection for new development.

He said,  “Key highlights of Indorama’s environment management system are compliance with all applicable national and state environmental regulations and adherence to good international best practices.

“Environmental performance is the major criteria considered for plant technology selection for new development. The environmental criteria considered are low energy per ton of production, low water consumption and minimum effluent generation, low noise from plant operation, minimal purge, and emissions.

“Extensive environmental and risk assessment studies and incorporation of recommendations in plant design and operational monitoring.

“It also includes installation of best-in-class available detection and control systems for effective operational control and prompt actions. All pollution abatement equipment is designed for appropriate capacity considering the worst-case scenario. Installed detectors across the plants and all safety devices are designed considering worst-case scenario,” he said.