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Indorama Backs Wike’s War Against Soot …Vows To Sustain Zero-Carbon Emission Record

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Indorama Petrochemicals Company Limited has expressed full support to Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s fight against illegal refineries and their operators in the state.
Making the company’s position known to newsmen during a guided facility tour of its state-of-the-art petrochemicals and fertiliser plants in Eleme, near Port Harcourt, last Monday, the Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Jossy Nkwocha, said that Indorama management has implicit confidence and trust in the capacity and ability of the governor to provide quality leadership that addresses the environmental challenges facing the people and those living and doing business in the state.
According to Nkwocha, “Indorama knows that we have a capable governor who is handling the soot matter. So it is not our responsibility to cast aspersions on anybody. Our governor is handling it very ably, and we support him.”
He said that the essence of the tour was to avail journalists the opportunity to understand the workings of the company’s plants so they can better communicate and educate the populace while also correcting insinuations in some misinformed quarters that Indorama operations allegedly emit soot in the state.
While stressing that complying with the company’s zero-tolerance for carbon emission policy was top priority of management, direct and indirect staff, Indorama has also installed state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that every NGL that attempts to escape during combustion is captured and recycled for conversion and processing into productive uses.
Nkwocha explained that “Indorama is an open book and has nothing to hide. We operate a closed manufacturing system which utilises every natural gas feedstock for optimum efficiency and productivity, without allowing any hydrocarbon to escape into the air. Our operations do not allow any extraneous gas to waste.
“Measuring gas liquids to achieve complete combustion at the stacks is in our DNA. Once hydrocarbons are completely combusted, what you have is excess oxygen. But once you have incomplete combustion, what you find is that the remaining hydrocarbons typically escape in particulates and are emitted as soot. In Indorama, nobody allows any drop of NGL to waste because we spend money to buy it”.
He noted that Indorama buys natural gas from either Nigerian Agip Oil Company or TotalEnergies at highly competitive prices, adding that as a profit-driven business, it strives to maximise profitability by adding value to every shareholder’s stake to justify huge investments in the company.
The communications expert said that the company’s petrochemicals and fertiliser plants have surpassed international and local regulatory requirements for the industry, saying that while global best practices permit minimum 2percent oxygen level, Indorama plants operate at 4percent, thereby allowing more oxygen during hydrocarbons cracking, conversion and processing in the Olefins plant, boilers, furnaces and vaporizers to extract desired nitrogen dioxide needed to produce high quality polymer rasins – polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) for various range of products, just as both Urea and Ammonia plants run with clean energy technologies to produce best quality fertilisers.
He also noted that the two plants have been certified and regularly reviewed by all relevant international and Nigerian regulatory agencies, such as International Standard Organisation (ISO), Bureau VERITAS, British Safety Council, Japan’s SOW and TOYO, United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA), International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), European Union’s registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH), as well as Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA), federal and state ministries of environment.
“Our plants are regularly audited and maintained to meet best quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) measures, and have set quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 90001, 14000 of 2015, and 45000 of 2018) certifications, 5-Star Safety and SOW of Honour awards, SON’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), SOW and TOYO certifications, and Nigeria Export Promotion Council’s Presidential Medal of Honour for placing the country on the global petrochemicals map as exporter of polymer rasins to various countries.
Nkwocha said that apart from the regular audit of the plants to ensure compliance with global best practices, the company also carries out regular ambient air quality monitoring at eight strategic locations within the complex and host communities to guarantee conformity to approved standards, just as third party regulators further conduct quarterly emission monitoring.
On the positive impact of the company to Nigerian economic development, Nkwocha said that petrochemicals plants provide raw materials for over 600 firms across the country, and enable over 50,000 jobs along the production value chain, while the fertilizer plants produce and supply high quality Urea to various blending plants in Nigeria, employing thousands of people.
He also said that Indorama produces three million metric tonnes of fertiliser per annum, supplies fertiliser to more than 32million farmers to ensure food sufficiency and security, controls 95percent of in-country fertiliser market, and employs about 7,000 direct and indirect staff daily.
On returns on investment, he said that the company regularly pays its taxes to governments as well as its dividends to the federal and state governments, host communities and staff, while also meeting its corporate social responsibility (CSR) targets.
The Tide reports that Indorama manufactures Urea fertilizer by reforming natural gas to get carbon dioxide and Ammonia through integrated and controlled clean energy technologies, while its petrochemicals plants produce 32 customised grades of quality polymer rasins, which meet specifications of different customers.
The petrochemicals plants produce High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Polypropylene Homo-polymer (PPHP), and Polypropylene Copolymer (PPCCP) used to manufacture a diversity of products such as jerry cans for water, waste bins, plastics chairs, spoons, folks, and tables, toys, mugs, and other household items, car and aircraft accessories, industrial pipes, personal protective equipment (PPEs), bottles and containers used in foods, pharmaceutical, bottling and brewery companies, hair attachments for women, among others.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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