Environment

‘Proposed Expansion Of Indorama Detrimental To Our Environment’

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2024

A group, Alliance for the Defence of Eleme, a non-governmental organisation has alleged that the proposed expansion of Indorama Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Company Limited will lead to further destruction of the Eleme environment.
According to a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the planned expansion of Indorama Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Company Limited without proper environmental impact assessment will further destroy the Eleme environment.
It therefore, called on International finance institutions to suspend their proposed financial support to the company for its expansion project.
The release further said the expansion project is even against a subsisting Court order against further expansion of the company owing to the destruction of its environment.
It particularly urged the African Development Bank, EAIF and the International Finance Corporation, to suspend financial support to Indorama Petrochemicals limited pending the resolution of the issues.
The group argued that providing financial support to Indorama when a court of competent jurisdiction has restrained it from further polluting its environment will amount to environmental crime against the people of Eleme.
Signed by Johnson Emere Mba Ngei, the leader of the group, the release says: “I am writing to you on behalf of the Alliance for the Defence of Eleme to express our grave concerns regarding the recent decisions to provide financial support to Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Company Limited for the expansion of their operations in Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria.
“We understand that the African Development Bank, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have all committed financial assistance to Indorama for various projects in Nigeria.
“While we acknowledge the importance of infrastructure development and economic growth, we must emphasise the legal and ethical implications of providing financial assistance to a company currently embroiled in legal proceedings.
“It is crucial for you to be aware that there is a subsisting court order, at the Federal High Court Port Harcourt with suit No: FHC/PH/CS/23/2024, restraining Indorama from further pollution of our environment,’’the group said.
“This court order underscores the serious environmental and social justice concerns surrounding Indorama’s operations in Eleme. Providing financial support to Indorama at this time could be seen as being culpable of an environmental crime or enabling actions that are in contempt of court and detrimental to the well-being of the local community.

The release said that the people of Eleme have endured severe environmental degradation of their land by Indorama Petrochemicald and fertilizer company limited adding that this has resulted to severe health impact on the people.

“The people of Eleme have endured severe environmental degradation and health impacts as a result of Indorama’s operations

. “The continued expansion of these operations without proper environmental safeguards and compliance with legal requirements poses a direct threat to our health, livelihoods, and future generations.

“In light of these circumstances, we urge all three organizations to suspend their decisions to provide financial support to Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Company.

“We believe that continuing to fund a company facing legal challenges and environmental concerns contradicts the principles of responsible investing and sustainable development that your organizations uphold and makes you an accomplice to the said environmental crime.

Therefore, we urge the African Development Bank, EAIF, and IFC to suspend the provision of financial support to Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Company until the legal matter is resolved in court.

“We further request that the suspension of financial assistance be publicly announced in at least three national dailies in Nigeria within the next seven days from this publication .
Should any of the organizations fail to take appropriate action to suspend financial support and address our concerns, we will have no choice but to pursue legal action against them for their role in enabling industrial genocide and social injustice in Eleme.

By: John Bibor

Environment

LAWMA Director Says Sweeping Reforms Have Improved Waste Collection

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, says sweeping reforms and infrastructure upgrades have significantly improved waste collection efficiency across the state.

Gbadegesin disclosed this to newdmen last week in Lagos state.

He said LAWMA expanded night cleaning operations and increased street sweeping coverage to 1,000 routes statewide.

He disclosed that 16,000 street sweepers were currently engaged across Lagos, supported by improved logistics and operational systems.

He said LAWMA acquired new equipment three years ago to complement Private Sector Participants (PSP) compactors and rehabilitated old trucks to strengthen fleet capacity.

He added that additional compactor trucks were expected in the coming months.

“Heavy-duty equipment is now deployed to clear legacy illegal dumpsites across communities,” he said.

Gbadegesin said LAWMA strengthened human capacity by expanding its advocacy department and deepening collaboration with Community Development Associations (CDAs) and local councils.

He revealed that each local government now operates a waste management task force, supported by LAWMA integration desks.

On waste-to-wealth initiatives, he disclosed that the Lagos State House of Assembly had ratified a concession agreement with ZoomLion to construct transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities.

The facilities, he said, would enable closure of the Olusosun and Solous landfills and process 4,000 tonnes of waste daily.

He said organic waste, which constitutes about 50 per cent of Lagos waste, would be converted into compost, while plastics would be recycled into waste bins.

Gbadegesin also disclosed plans for a 1,500-tonnes-per-day waste-to-energy plant in partnership with a Dutch firm, Harvest Waste.

He said the project was expected to generate 60 megawatts of electricity to support emerging industrial zones.

He further highlighted a pilot biogas plant at the Epe Food Market, which processes 500kg of organic waste daily to generate electricity for market operations.

He called for stronger media collaboration to enhance public awareness and behavioral change.

“Waste management is not just about equipment; it is about human behaviour, enforcement and strong regulatory systems,” he said.

He urged residents to utilise LAWMA’s toll-free lines and digital platforms to report service gaps instead of resorting to illegal dumping.

Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos State Government on Saturday refuted an online media report claiming that the state had resumed the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said no categorical statement had been made regarding the commencement date of the exercise.

Wahab explained that what he told newsmen after a project inspection tour last Sunday was that engagements with relevant stakeholders were still ongoing.

He said the state government had planned to begin with a sensitisation programme last week, but was constrained by logistics issues.

“The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the exercise might return very soon, adding that the official date would be communicated by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioner urged law-abiding residents to continue their lawful activities without hindrance, assuring them that adequate notice would be given before the exercise was reintroduced.

The monthly environmental sanitation, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the exercise.

However, renewed waste management challenges, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate refuse disposal, have sparked calls from residents for its reinstatement.

Environment

Ministry Of Environment To Validate A Landmark Policy To Advance Nigeria’s Economy

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Ministry of Environment last Thursday convened key stakeholders in Abuja to validate a landmark policy brief aimed at tackling marine litter to advance Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.

Mrs Falmata Bukar-Kolo, the Deputy Director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division in the ministry, warned that plastic pollution poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health.

She stated that microplastics have already entered the food chain through fish consumption, while clogged waterways, soil contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions from burning plastics are worsening the environmental crisis.

Bukar-Kolo said that plastics, though widely used, are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for years.

She called for improved waste management systems, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, and behavioural change amongst citizens and businesses.

Mr Clem Ugorji, Regional Coordinator of PROTEGO, emphasised on the urgency of action, saying Nigeria’s marine litter crisis carries environmental, economic, and reputational costs.

He expressed optimism that the 2025 to 2040 roadmap endorsed at the workshop would shift the country from prolonged dialogue to concrete implementation.

The event was organised in collaboration with PROTEGO (Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea).

Discussions centred on a draft policy input paper titled “Policies, Institutional Set-up and Financing of Marine Litter Prevention in Nigeria,”.

These seeks to present insightful analysis and a set of recommendations to address the structural and financing gaps that have long hindered effective waste management, particularly plastic leakage from inland communities and waterways into the Atlantic Ocean.

The PROTEGO initiative is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and led by adelphi, with implementation in Nigeria by WASTE Africa and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC).

The policy brief is a key delivery for one of the programme’s four impact areas – building capacities of public stakeholders.