- Demand N8bn damages
Two communities hosting the Aba Plant of the Nigerian Breweries Plc have dragged the company to the Abia State High Court over what they described as a lingering case of environmental abuse.
The communities are also demanding the sum of N8 billion in damages from the Nigerian Breweries.
The two communities are Ogbor Ancient Kingdom and Eziama Amahia Autonomous Community, both in Aba North Local Government Area.
Both communities, through the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, cried out over the alleged continued degradation of their environments.
They lamented that several engagements made with the company through FENRAD did not move the company.
In the suit filed by their lawyer, Barr. Bright. I. Akpoaha Esq., the communities said that Nigerian Breweries has continued to discharge effluent water and other dangerous chemicals, including waste into ‘Iyi Aza Ogbor’, also known as ‘Waterside’ or Aba River.
The community informed the court that, “as only natural source of water, it’s dangerous to their health for the company to continue discharging its waste into the river”.
They claimed that they have carried out research and found harmful chemicals and contaminants in the wastewater being discharged into the Rivers by the company.
The community also provided a video clip showing how the company’s alleged discharge of untreated wastewater to their environment has caused a lot of harm to the residents.