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Nigeria must stop gas flaring — UN, others

By on October 4, 2013

The Chairman, United Nations Sustainable Energy for All, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, and other experts have called on the Federal Government to end gas flaring in Nigeria.

Yumkella, in a keynote address at the 26th World LP Gas Forum in London on Wednesday, condemned the continuous and unsustainable level of gas flaring by international oil firms operating in the country.

According to him, it is not fair that children still play at night in the Niger Delta looking at gas being flared in the distance.

For a country that requires gas to power thermal stations and attain equitable energy distribution to all and sundry, the UN executive called for an urgent action from the government to reduce gas flaring in the country.

He also said gas flaring must be stopped throughout the African continent in order to ensure sustainable development.

“The gas flared in Africa can supply 50 per cent of the energy we need, but we have been flaring gas for the past 50 years. That creates insecurity and inequity. For instance, Nigeria has been flaring gas since the discovery of oil in the country. This must stop because we need that gas to generate power,” Yumkella said.

The Director, Greenfield Integrated Energy Services Limited, an indigenous LPG player, Mr. ’Seyi Osunkeye, corroborated the UN executive, saying it had become imperative for Nigeria to put an end to gas flaring because of the huge economic losses occasioned by the menace.

He reiterated that there were enabling laws and policies guiding against gas flaring, and urged the government to develop the will power to tackle it.

According to him, ending gas flaring will create employment, sustainable development and reduced migration to Europe.

“The policy has to come from the government. There has to be the political will power to end gas flaring in Nigeria. What is the government waiting for? The benefits far outweigh the demerits,” he said.

Osunkeye expressed confidence that if the Petroleum Industry Bill was passed, it would fast-track the ending of gas flaring in the country.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, G-mevic Logistics Limited, Mr. Emeka Igwe, also urged the Federal Government to be more serious about ending gas flaring in the country.

According to him, the economic losses caused by gas flaring should not be allowed to continue.

 

 

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