Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, IEFCL, has dismissed allegations of “unhealthy environmental practices” leveled against it by a civil society group, Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, stressing that the claims were already subjects of litigation before the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt.
In a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Justice Tienabeso Bibiye, the company described the accusations as “spurious and unfounded,” and urged the public to disregard them.
“Our attention has been drawn to a press statement titled ‘Unhealthy Environmental Practices of Indorama Eleme Fertilizer Petrochemicals Ltd’ issued by Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative,” the statement read.
“As a good corporate citizen of Nigeria, Indorama has, over the years, consistently demonstrated its commitment to strict adherence to the laws of the land, and total compliance to judicial processes.”
Indorama clarified that the plaintiffs — Pilex Centre and Mr. Josiah Okpabi, a former employee of Obewon Ltd, a contractor to Indorama — have already instituted two cases in court.
The first, Suit No. NICN/PHC/28/2025 filed on May 5, 2025, was adjourned to October 14–15, 2025. The second, Suit No. NICN/PHC/27/2025, was also adjourned to October 14, 2025.
“As a law-abiding corporate citizen of Nigeria, Indorama refrains from commenting on matters that are already before a court of competent jurisdiction, as doing so amounts to sub judice which constitutes serious infractions to judicial processes,” Bibiye stated.
The company urged patience, insisting that due process should take its course. “We urge Pilex Centre and Mr. Okpabi, who initiated these legal actions, to exercise patience and allow the judicial process to reach its logical conclusion,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its stance, Indorama declared that its operations remain in line with best practices in safety, health, and environmental management.
“Indorama-Nigeria remains committed to full implementation of its policies on environment and climate change as well as occupational health, safety and well-being policy built on an enduring culture of integrity and excellence,” Bibiye said.
Indorama, which operates Africa’s largest fertilizer complex in Port Harcourt, emphasized that its reputation and compliance track record in Nigeria and globally remain intact, and warned against attempts to malign its corporate image outside judicial channels.
