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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, has expressed concern that despite concerted efforts, the country is yet to record much progress in reducing gas flaring.
Salako stated this at the Third National Extractive Dialogue on Gas Flare Reduction 2024, held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The event, themed: “Catalyst for Accelerating Nigeria’s Path to Net Zero Emission and Sustainable Development” was organised by Spaces for Change in partnership with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), with the support of the Ford Foundation.
Speaking at the symposium, the Minister reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to ending gas flaring to foster a conducive environment. He pointed out the tangible progress made under Nigeria’s Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, launched in 2016 to attract investment in gas capture technologies.
Salako however, noted that despite advancements, Nigeria still faces formidable obstacles in achieving its gas flaring reduction targets by 2030.
He listed Infrastructure deficits, regulatory shortcomings, and technology gaps as factors that have continued to impede progress.
The Minister stressed the need for enhanced collaboration with international partners and increased investment in renewable energy solutions.
He said: “Historically, gas flaring has been a common practice in the Nigerian oil and gas industry due to the absence of infrastructure. As a result, the gas has been continuously burned in oil fields leading to the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
He added that, “Despite regulatory efforts, enforcement regulations have been challenging and many operators still flare gas due to insufficient penalties and the high cost of gas capture and utilisation technologies. Nigeria’s policy on gas flaring has however evolved significantly over the years.
“As of today, Nigeria remains one of the top 10 countries in the world in terms of gas flaring volumes. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), reported that approximately 324 billion cubic feet of gas was flared in 2023 translating to significant economic losses and environmental damages including damage to the health of the people. This volume, though, represents a slight decrease from previous years, figures derived from the National Gas Flare Tracker shows that Nigeria has flared 148.7 million static cubic feet of gas in the first six months of 2024 which is about seven percent above the same level above the 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.”
In her remarks, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change, noted the significance of
of this year’s dialogue, and the need to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.
Highlighting the ambitious target set by Nigeria’s 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.
