By Kelechi Nwaucha
Leading fertilizer company, Indorama Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Group, has said its operations are environment-friendly and comply with national and standards, while maintaining “zero harm, safe and healthy environment” for its host communities.
Indorama’s head, Corporate Communications, Dr Jossy Nkwocha, made this known on Friday while conducting newsmen on a tour of facilities at the company complex in Eleme, Rivers State.
Dr Nkwocha’s comment comes against the backdrop of a write-up by a group, Alliance for the Defence of Eleme, supposedly sent to the fertilizer company’s partners, and notes “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.”
Dr Nkwocha said that as “a responsible corporate organisation, we do not intend to make comments on a matter in court but since the above-mentioned group of persons have already put it in the public space, we 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.”
He said that “While it is true that the court had issued an exparte 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 17th April, 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.”
Indorama’s head of Corporate Communications pointed out that the facility tour and a “detailed presentation of our Environmental Management System,” has shown that the company “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,” he said.
Measures adopted in the company’s environment management system, according to Dr. Nkwocha, include: “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.
“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.
“Before embarking on a new project, Detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study as per the Federal Ministry of Environment guidelines, which is inclusive and covers study of environmental and social components including stakeholder engagement under supervision of Federal Ministry of Environment and Rivers State Ministry of Environment.
“Periodic preventive maintenance of pollution abatement and pollution control infrastructures to ensure optimal functionality;
“Conduct Regulatory mandated Environment Audit and Environmental Evaluation study under supervision of relevant regulatory agency reps and submit to relevant authorities for review and approval as per defined frequency.
“Quarterly submission of these data in form of Environment Compliance Report to Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv), Rivers State Ministry of Environment (RSMEnv), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)”, among others.
