Access Africa for Rights and Development Initiative

Access Africa for Rights and Development Initiative An NGO with the aim of promoting accessibility and inclusion of women, youths and vulnerable people

Community leadership is indispensable on the project: “Mitigating the Negative Impact of Indorama Chemical Waste on Alet...
17/04/2026

Community leadership is indispensable on the project: “Mitigating the Negative Impact of Indorama Chemical Waste on Aleto, Akpajo and Aleto”. Earlier in August 21, 2025, Access Africa in the company of the Ministries of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) consulted with HRH, King Godwin Maduabuchi Bebe Okpabi, Paramount Rulers of Ogale Clan Oneh- Eh Nchia X and his Council of Chiefs for their support and nomination of community men and women, who will serve to support the project as Community Vanguard for Anti-pollution (COVAP).

The community leaders endorsed the project and nominated trusted men and women, who had dedicated their time voluntarily to work for the realization of the goal of the project.

April 15 2026, Access Africa along with the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and COVAP) gathered again at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ogale and his Council of Chiefs to present the results of the project and the report of the validated baseline report.

In an opening remark, Dr. David Vareba the Executive Director of Access Africa thanked the King for welcoming the team and creating time out of his busy schedule to meet with us. Dr. Vareba again gave a breakdown of the project activities that have been done so far and the results and positive impacts they have created in the communities.

The turning point of the meeting was the presentation of the baseline report by Mr. Kingsley Ozegbe, the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Consultant of Access Africa. The report exudes negative impacts that are harmful to the health and the environment of the Eleme people. The report also gave recommendations and steps to be taking to ameliorate the obnoxious situation.

The King and his Council of Chiefs who, were emotional about the report pledged to follow up with the report recommendations and also join Access Africa, the Ministries and COVAP to constructively engage Indorama in the coming days. At the moment, Access Africa is preparing an advocacy brief to engage Indorama on the report and on their Environmental, Social Management System (ESMS).

The event was attended by Access Africa staff, Green Leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Centre, a sister NGO, Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, Members of COVAP, the King of Ogale, the Paramount Ruler of Akpajo and Council of Chiefs.

This is part of the project “Mitigating Negative Impact of Indorama Chemicals on Aleto”, a project implemented by Access Africa, funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP







UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

17/04/2026

The Director, Access Africa Dr. David Vareba reiterated that the movement to Indorama Chemicals will be peaceful and not violent.

He while speaking with the community leadership in Ogale noted that a peaceful engagement will produce better results than violence.

This is part of activities on the Mitigating the impact of Indorama Chemicals in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale project implemented by Access Africa funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP



UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

17/04/2026

The community leadership in Ogale appreciated Access Africa for the independent baseline research conducted on the negative effects of Indorama Chemicals in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogle.

They assured Access Africa of their commitment towards achieving the set goal of the project.

This is part of activities on the Mitigating the impact of Indorama Chemicals in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale project implemented by Access Africa funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP



UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

15/04/2026

Access Africa is at the Palace of His Royal Highness, King Godwin Bebe Okpabi, Oneh-Eh-Eta Ogale to share its findings on the impact of Indorama Chemicals baseline research conducted in 2025.

This is part of activities on the Mitigating the impact of Indorama Chemicals in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale project implemented by Access Africa funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP



UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

07/04/2026

Ms. Nelly Omorem, the Executive Director of Green Leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Centre pledged her organization’s support to the women. She commended Access Africa for undertaking the first elaborate empirical study of water, air, soil and plants in the controversial industrial area like Eleme.






GEF Small Grants Programme
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

04/04/2026

Access Africa Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe presenting key findings from the baseline research during the meeting with Community Vanguards for Anti-pollution (COVAP) members at Ogale, Eleme Rivers State.






GEF Small Grants Programme
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

Following the March 25, 2026 meeting with the Project Management Team on advocacy plans to share key findings of Access ...
04/04/2026

Following the March 25, 2026 meeting with the Project Management Team on advocacy plans to share key findings of Access Africa’s baseline study on the negative impact of the Indorama Chemical waste on Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale, Eleme LGA, Access Africa and the Project Management Team met with the Community Vanguard for Anti-Pollution (COVAP) in a Town Hall Meeting at Community Town Hall Agbi, Ogale Eleme on April 1, 2026.

In a solidarity message, Dr. James Ordu, a Deputy Director at the Rivers State Ministry of Environment pledged full support of his Ministry to the people of Eleme over the environmental hazards that have plagued the health and livelihoods of the people. In similar way, Mr. Dydimus Bartholomew, a representative of the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture promised his Ministry’s technical support to farmers in the communities who have lost vital nutrients to their soil due to chemical pollution. In the same vein Ms. Nelly Omorem, the Executive Director of Green Leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Centre pledged her organization’s support to the women. She commended Access Africa for undertaking the first elaborate empirical study of water, air, soil and plants in the controversial industrial area like Eleme.

The findings of the baseline report were carefully shared with the members of COVAP, who will be at the forefront of the advocacy and engagement to Indorama and community sensitization. The essence is to avoid conflict that may arise from the negative report on the health and environment of their communities. An abridged report of findings of the baseline study was presented to the members of COVAP.

In an important turn at the event, Dr. Ordu of the Rivers State Ministry of the Environment presented the Ethical Consideration in engagements and advocacies ahead. Summarily, the paper gave tips on what is required to have a successful advocacy. He listed among others that advocacy must be constructive, devoid of violence. He also pointed out that Eleme people must have common front and always avoid personal interest and gratification.

Participants included Rivers State Government (the Rivers State Ministries of Environment, and Agriculture), CSOs, COVAP members and Access Africa's staff.

This is part of the Mitigating negative effects of Indorama Chemicals on Aleto project implemented by Access Africa, funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP







UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

03/04/2026

Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture committing to the Advocacy Process while urging the Community Vanguards for Anti-Pollution (COVAP) Members to peace for the success of the goal of the project.






GEF Small Grants Programme
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

01/04/2026

Rivers State Ministry of Environment committed to the Advocacy process pledging that the ministry will give all it can to ensure the smooth process of the the engagements to community members and Indorama Chemicals.

This is part of the mitigating the negative impact of Indorama Chemicals on Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale project implemented by Access Africa funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP.



UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

01/04/2026

Access Africa started its Community Town Hall engagement series with stakeholders in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale with the meeting of Community Vanguards for Anti-pollution (COVAP) members.

The meeting was to present the research findings and to plan for the various engagement meetings and advocacy meeting to Indorama

More details coming...


GEF Small Grants Programme
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise

.Following the March 11, 2026 baseline study validation, the Project Management Team met on March 25, 2026 to plan advoc...
26/03/2026

.Following the March 11, 2026 baseline study validation, the Project Management Team met on March 25, 2026 to plan advocacy meetings with stakeholders to share key findings of the study.

The PMT adopted a collaborative approach to remedies and resolved to develop a 1-month work plan and a conflict-sensitive communication plan.

The aim is to carefully share findings with community leaders and residents to avoid sparking litigation and/or violent demand for redress from Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited (IEFCL).

Participants included Rivers State Government (the Rivers State Ministries of Environment, Health, and Agriculture), CSOs, Access Africa's Consultant and the Executive Director of Access Africa.

This is part of the Mitigating negative effects of Indorama Chemicals on Aleto project implemented by Access Africa, funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP







UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise
David Vareba

25/03/2026

Ongoing:
Access Africa is organising a Project Management Team meeting to discuss on modalities to engage with community members in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale, and Indorama Chemicals on the outcome of the Access Africa baseline research on the effect of the company, Indorama Chemicals.

More details coming...
GEF Small Grants Programme
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP in Nigeria
Ronke Olubamise



Address

#5 Uyo Street, Rumuomasi
Port Harcourt
500272

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+2348170178510

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Access Africa for Rights and Development Initiative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Access Africa for Rights and Development Initiative:

Shortcuts

Share

Category