‘Proposed Expansion Of Indorama Detrimental To Our Environment’

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