Indorama Petrochemicals Limited, Eleme, has debunked an allegation linking it as one of the companies generating soot in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Briefing journalists during a tour of its facilities on Monday, Head of Corporate Communications, Indorama, Jossy Nkwocha, said Indorama has been proactive in environmental issues.
Nkwocha noted that though the company had not been officially accused of emitting soot, it was proper to clear the innuendo in some quarters and give the public a clear picture of its operations.
“We have a closed system, and this closed system does not allow any strenuous gas to escape. And as they have explained to us in the control room, we buy this natural from either Agip or TotalEnergies, and we don’t allow it to waste by flaring. So, you can see that Indorama does not emit soot or anything in any form.
“We are being proactive because people are making insinuations. Officially, nobody is accusing us of emitting soot. But, some people are making insinuation, and we have the responsibility to explain to the public to clear such insinuation.”
Continuing, Nwokocha added that the company has contributed to the economy of the country in creating employment opportunities for unemployed Nigerians, adding that it supplies fertiliser to over 32 million farmers in the country,
“We have 7,000 full-time workers and contractors. They come here every day; so, there is the employment of more than 7,000 persons. If you extrapolate it by their family members and others, you could see the number of persons.
“We supply fertiliser to about 32 million farmers. We have also told you we supply UREA to blending plants, and each of them may employ about 100 persons. So, Indorama is helping so much in creating jobs.”
The company also commended Governor Nyesom Wike for the steps taken to tackle the soot emission in Rivers.
