Indorama’s molecular lab accredited by NCDC to fight COVID-19, sustain agriculture, industralisation in Nigeria

Ben Eguzozie, in Port Harcourt

Indorama-Nigeria, owners of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals (IEPL) and Indorama Fertilisers & Chemicals (IEFCL), says its newly inaugurated molecular laboratory accredited by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will help in Nigeria’s fight against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Rivers State and the country in general.

NCDC on Wednesday announced that it has accredited five new molecular laboratories, including Indorama molecular lab in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital – making a total of 58 of such laboratories in 30 states of the country.

The Indorama molecular laboratory with state-of-the art medical equipment is to ensure that over 7,000 workforce that enters the company’s complex at Eleme, Port Harcourt daily undergo regular testing and treatment for anyone found positive for the coronavirus.

Manish Mundra, the managing director of Indorama Nigeria said the laboratory will add strategic value to the sustenance of the company’s production of fertilizers for Nigerian farmers and the production of petrochemical products for various industries.

Indorama Fertilisers, which began roll-out in December 2016, has been strategic in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, through supply of cheap and regular supply of the agric input since then, thereby helping to ensure food security across the country.

Mundra was quoted by Jossy Nkwocha, head of corporate communications, as saying that the company was appreciative of the Rivers State ministry of Health and the NCDC for their guidance in actualising the setting up of the molecular laboratory.