The Nigerian House of Representatives has pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to end gas flaring in the petroleum industry.
This is to stimulate the nation’s economic growth, create jobs and provide additional revenue for the country.
The Speaker House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, made the remark while declaring open a one-day public hearing on the need to end gas flaring in Nigeria, organized by the House Joint Committees on Gas Resources, Environment and Climate Change.
Mr Gbajabiamila, who was represented by a member from Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Onofiok Luke, gave the assurance that the House will take legislative action through bills and oversight to achieve the zero gas flaring and optimal utilization of gas in the country.
“The conversation about gas flaring in Nigeria has been going on for a long time. Unfortunately, those conversations have not yielded the desired results. We have not managed to end the environmental damage that results from gas flaring, and we are still deprived of the economic benefits of full utilisation of gas resources in our country.
In this 9th House of Representatives, we intend to do everything we can to change this narrative. We will convene stakeholders to deliberate and resolve the policy disagreements and other issues that have mitigated against the effective utilisation of gas resources. Following that, we will take legislative action through bills and oversight to achieve the ambitions we hold in this regard.” the Speaker added.
The Chairman of the Joint Committees of Gas Resources, Mr. Nicholas Mutu, who expressed concern that Nigeria loses over 750 million dollars annually to gas flaring. said the joint committee would come up with comprehensive and integrated proposals to cure the perennial problem.
Mr Nicholas explained that “the gas that is being flared is feedstock for other industries, which if properly harnessed would stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and provide income for midstream companies and earn revenue for government through taxes.”
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, disclosed that the government through the ministry is working on a policy plan that would end gas flaring by 2025.
Those at the public hearing include Representatives of Major Oil Companies, Oil Host Communities, Civil Society Groups as well as officials of the Ministry of Environment.
Amaka E. Nliam
