Firm urges Rivers communities to shun bickerings, infighting

• Empowers communities with $ 175m in one year

SOME communities in Eleme Local Council of Rivers State, have been urged to shun acts capable of throwing the people into poverty.

Head, Community Relations and Development, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Limited, Mr. Kendrick Oluka, gave the advice at the weekend shortly after a tour of the facility.

According to him, consistent fights and resistance against companies and organisations by host communities might thwart business operations and can hamper multiple opportunities. He, however, revealed that the firm in the last one year has empowered some community members with at least $ 175 million in various skills and empowerment programmes.

He explained that the firm had in its various projects empowered women with funds to support their businesses, youths with skills and also employed over 200 persons directly and indirectly.

He, however, expressed dismay over consistent resistance by some of the communities against the operations of the company over fabricated falsehoods.

Also, the Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, reassured its partners and stakeholders that the firm’s operations are environment friendly and have been operated under national and international standards. He said that the firm is committed to the goal of zero harm, safe and healthy environment by implementing an effective environment management system as an integral part of its operations. He noted that it has implemented a robust Environment Management and Monitoring System, and the environmental performance acknowledged by Regulators and Lenders.