…As industry stakeholders brainstorm on way forward
Industry operators came together in the week with regulators and other stakeholders to assess the journey so far in the much-desired gas flare-down necessities and ever-changing targets.
It provided a huge opportunity to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to hand down perhaps one of the strongest policy declarations; that Nigeria must take decisive action on gas flaring, now.
According to Rivers-born Chukwuemeka Woke, an engineer, technocrat, and the Director-General (DG) of NOSDRA, the decisions the stakeholders would take at the Abuja and other such forums and the actions taken would unequivocally shape the future of Nigeria’s environment, the economy, and the health and well-being of Nigerians and our communities.
Gas flare with its attendant methane emission pushes Nigeria to 39th in global pollution rating with China topping the chart with its over 14 billion tons of carbon dioxide (Co2) and Mexico the 10th with less than one billion. These contribute to greenhouse effects and global warming that have caused upheavals in nature such as meting of ice into oceans and change in seasons, bush fires especially in the US, flooding around the world, and much more.
This is why Woke, while speaking at the 3rd National Extractives Dialogue 2024 (NED2024) in Abuja, Nigeria, said Nigeria must act, now.
Experts including Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), dug into the history of gas flaring in and challenges that kept the gas burning. They all agreed that Nigeria must be freed from this menace because much harm has been heaped on Nigeria over the decades.
The NOSDRA chief said the theme: “Gas Flare Reduction: Catalyst for Accelerating Nigeria’s Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Sustainable development,” represents the way forward because the same gas that is needed badly in the industry to support the NLNG and other gas initiatives is being flared wastefully into the atmosphere to return to cause damage instead of create wealth.
Read also: Nigeria tops as global gas flaring surges to 5-year high despite ban push
Coming from Emohua LGA of Rivers State where such menace is prominent, the DG seemed to speak from the heart to a problem that has ravaged his state and region, and harming his people and loved ones before his eyes.
He thus lamented thus: “Today, we are not simply discussing an environmental issue; we are confronting a fundamental challenge that profoundly impacts our national development and our global commitments.
“The persistent practice of gas flaring has marred the breathtaking landscape of Nigeria’s abundant natural resources. It serves as a symbol of the missed prospects for harnessing energy, fostering economic growth, and preserving the environment. The well-documented environmental and health ramifications of gas flaring have far-reaching effects, deteriorating air quality, and public health while also aggravating the global climate crisis. Nevertheless, amidst this seemingly insurmountable challenge lies a remarkable opportunity for groundbreaking innovation, meaningful collaboration, and tangible progress.”
He benchmarked his position in line with global climate change mitigation efforts and the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to end gas flaring, reduce methane emissions, and enhance environmental sustainability in the country.
He said the administration rather sees the transformative potential of curbing gas flaring, saying the view positions gas flare reduction not just as an environmental necessity but as a catalyst for broader sustainable development and a key driver towards Nigeria’s net-zero emissions goal. “By tackling this issue head-on, we can unlock new pathways for energy efficiency, economic diversification, and community resilience which would in turn boost economic growth and job creation in line with Mr. President’s 8-point Agenda.”
He gave himself a task, saying: “As the DG of NOSDRA, I am acutely aware of the intricate link between environmental protection and sustainable development. Our agency is dedicated to ensuring that the exploitation of our natural resources does not come at the expense of our environment. The reduction of gas flaring is integral to this mission, aligning with our broader mandate to safeguard the environment from the adverse effects of oil and gas activities.”
The former chief of staff in the Government House of Rivers State under then Gov Nyesom Wike (now FCT Minister) situated the day’s dialogue as one to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders-government officials, industry leaders, environmental advocates, and community representatives. “Each of you brings valuable perspectives and expertise to this discussion. It is through our collective efforts and shared commitment that we can develop effective strategies and innovative solutions to significantly reduce gas flaring in Nigeria.”
He demanded a focus on actionable outcomes that can drive real change and progress. “Our goal is not just to discuss but to act, to implement, and to transform.” He poured encomiums of those behind the effort such as to the co-organizer, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and the funders of the event, the Ford Foundation through Space4Change, as well as the speakers and participants for their dedication and commitment to the important cause. “Together, we can work towards reducing gas flaring and creating a sustainable and prosperous future for Nigeria.”
The enthusiasm demonstrated by the DG must have spurred some of the experts and NGOs to appeal to NOSDRA to take up the task of carrying out an annual assessment of the journey so far so the stakeholders would know who has moved from one point to another in the flare-out journey.
Background:
According to Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of ‘Spaces For Change’, the focus at the moment is how Nigerian catalyze (fasten) gas flare reduction and carbon footprint reduction to foster truly sustainable development. Nigeria is high on the table of Co2 polluters especially due to methane emission as well as anthropogenic (human-induced) pollution. The human-induced factor is said to be as high as 60% and experts say reducing 45% of it could lead to saving of thousands of lives lost and millions in hospital situations in Nigeria per year, according to reports from AfriTAL group which held sessions in Port Harcourt recently.
This must be why Spaces For Change (SPACES4C) said the NED2024 promised to be a pivotal gathering of crucial stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, aimed at discussing strategies, practical solutions, and innovative approaches to align Nigeria’s sustainability goals with its global energy landscape role.
The third edition of this annual national convening brought together about 150 stakeholders from the extractive industry in West Africa, including policymakers, regulators, international and indigenous extractive corporations, academia, media, civil society organizations, federal and state parliamentarians, and host communities.
Together, they converged to explore pathways for strengthening accountability and transparent management of oil, gas, and mineral resources in the sub-region.
Jointly organized by Spaces for Change, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and supported by the Ford Foundation, NED2024 offered stakeholders a constructive platform to discuss means of propelling gas flare down, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable development in host communities.
This is because Nigeria’s commitment to achieving a ‘just transition’ to net-zero emissions had garnered significant attention on the global stage. This commitment is said to be evidenced by the establishment of frontline advocacy initiatives following the signing of the Just Transition Declaration and the announcement of the ambitious 2060 net-zero goal at COP26. As part of this commitment, Nigeria’s Climate Change Plan sets a 2030 target the cessation of gas burning as a byproduct of oil production and the reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Recently, at COP28, Nigeria unveiled ambitious plans to cut its carbon emissions in half through the implementation of the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP). The recent Abuja convention provided a critical platform for stakeholders to contribute to the realization of such ambitious goals, explore and evaluate the intricacies surrounding gas flare-down and carbon footprint reduction, and develop actionable strategies to propel Nigeria towards its sustainability goals.
The outcome was expected to develop strategies to mitigate climate change and preserve local ecosystems through effective gas flare-down and carbon footprint reduction initiatives.
They were also expected to strengthen regulatory frameworks and enhance compliance with national and international environmental standards to reduce gas flaring and promote sustainable practices.
Others were to unlock economic value from flared gas and reduce operational costs while promoting sustainable economic development and diversification in Nigeria’s extractive industry.
They were to improve public health, enhance community engagement, and foster sustainable development in host communities affected by extractive activities. Finally, they were to build stakeholder trust, enhance transparency, and attract investment by promoting responsible business practices and community-centered initiatives within Nigeria’s extractive industry.
Critical voice from the Niger Delta:
Speaking as a panelist on the topic “Gas Flaring in Niger Delta Communities: Experiences, Impacts, and opportunities,” YEAC-Nigeria’s Fyneface highlighted the history of gas flaring in Nigeria, which he said dates back to the 1950s, when oil was discovered and commercial quantity production commenced in Rivers State, present-day Oloibiri in Bayelsa State.
The environmental advocate said the over six decades of gas flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, which spread to other communities with the discovery and extraction of crude oil, has exposed the people to bitter experiences. He stated that the constant and incessant gas flaring in the Niger Delta, which has been ongoing for over 60 years, has significantly contributed to health concerns and environmental issues.
Fyneface sensitized the Abuja audience about the flare’s impact on flora and fauna, saying it impacts their breeding in relation to the food chain, thereby contributing to food insecurity in the region and the country as a whole.
As a way forward, Fyneface said opportunities exist if multinational and indigenous oil companies can take advantage of prevailing technologies to mitigate gas flaring in communities across the Niger Delta region.
He called for the commercialization of the gas being flared and wasted as a strategy to reduce gas flaring, especially as Nigeria has adopted gas as its energy transition fuel. “In that way, facilities set up to convert the flared gas would not only create jobs but also mitigate the impact of gas flaring on the environment, communities, and its people as the country targets net-zero emissions by the year 2060.”
Fyneface who has been in the forefront for modular refinery licenses to oil bunkering youths to divert their energy to productive ventures said the volume being spilled through pipeline breaking would disappear and save the waters and environment.
Conclusion:
It is expected that the 3rd NED would lay the foundation for actions as the NOSDRA DG suggested so that tangible results would be posted each year toward flare-down.
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