By Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Despite concerted efforts, Nigeria has yet to make significant progress in reducing gas flaring, according to the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako. Speaking at the Third National Extractive Dialogue on Gas Flare Reduction 2024 in Abuja, Salako expressed concern over the slow pace of improvement.
The event, themed “Catalyst for Accelerating Nigeria’s Path to Net Zero Emission and Sustainable Development,” was organized by Spaces for Change in partnership with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), with support from the Ford Foundation.
In his address, Dr. Salako reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ending gas flaring, emphasizing the importance of fostering a conducive environment. He highlighted the tangible progress made under Nigeria’s Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, launched in 2016 to attract investment in gas capture technologies. However, he acknowledged that despite these advancements, formidable obstacles remain in achieving the country’s gas flaring reduction targets by 2030.
“Historically, gas flaring has been a common practice in the Nigerian oil and gas industry due to the absence of infrastructure,” Salako noted. “As a result, gas has been continuously burned in oil fields, leading to the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.”
The Minister cited infrastructure deficits, regulatory shortcomings, and technology gaps as major impediments to progress. He stressed the need for enhanced collaboration with international partners and increased investment in renewable energy solutions to overcome these challenges.
“Despite regulatory efforts, enforcement remains challenging. Many operators still flare gas due to insufficient penalties and the high cost of gas capture and utilization technologies,” Salako added. He noted that Nigeria’s policy on gas flaring has evolved significantly over the years, but the country remains one of the top 10 in the world for gas flaring volumes.
According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), approximately 324 billion cubic feet of gas were flared in 2023, leading to significant economic losses and environmental damages, including adverse health effects on local populations. While this volume represents a slight decrease from previous years, figures from the National Gas Flare Tracker show that Nigeria flared 148.7 million static cubic feet of gas in the first six months of 2024, about seven percent above the level for the same period in 2023.
“So I agree with his Royal Majesty, we are not making the desired progress yet in reducing gas flaring,” Salako concluded.
In her remarks, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change, emphasized the significance of this year’s dialogue and the urgency of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. Highlighting Nigeria’s ambitious Climate Change Plan to cease gas burning by 2030, she stressed the critical need for collaborative efforts across sectors to manage climate change impacts and drive sustainable development.
Ibezim-Ohaeri expressed confidence that NED2024 will set a new standard for environmental protection within the nation’s extractive industry. “As we work towards mitigating climate change and preserving our local ecosystems, strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing compliance with environmental standards will be paramount. Through our collective efforts, we can propel Nigeria towards a sustainable future, ensuring our natural resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of present and future generations,” she stated.