Greenpeace Africa, a climate rights group, has demanded a stop to the proposed oil refinery project by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, in Kenya’s coastal region, warning of the environmental risks.

The refinery is expected to have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day and is to be located at Kenya’s Lamu port.

Sherelee Odayar, Greenpeace Africa Oil and Gas campaigner, said in a statement, “This project threatens to damage one of East Africa’s most fragile coastal ecosystems while locking Kenya into a risky fossil fuel future.”

The group added that the refinery, which is expected to take about 30 months to build, will lead to “habitat destruction, marine degradation, oil spill risk and dangerous air pollution”.

“Lamu’s mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds are not expendable. They support fisheries, livelihoods and coastal protection,” the NGO said.

Odayar called for the suspension of the $17 billion project pending an independent environmental assessment before any approvals are granted.

“No approvals should move forward without a full, independent environmental and social impact assessment, genuine public participation and transparent scrutiny of the long-term economic, health and ecological risks.”