…As experts recommend ways out of methane emission in Nigeria
A recommendation has gone out on the creation of what is known as ‘biogas market’ which would create a new army of wealthy men from waste management from methane emission.
This is as experts have said to fight methane emission caused by human sources (anthropogenic), farming methods must change to cut down on harmful practices to the climate.
These are some of the key recommendations at the ‘Methane Abatement Close Out’ in Port Harcourt, Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Visa Karena hotel where experts insisted that the mandate of agricultural extension should be enriched to enable them have the capacity to educate farmers on matters relating to methane and its abatement.
The recommendations were reeled out by Brown Louis Ogbeifun, the executive director, African Centre for Transparency Accountability and Initiative (AfriTAL).
AfriTAL worked with Environmental Centre for Oil Spills and Gas Flaring (ECOSGF) led by a catholic cleric, Edward Obi.
In the closeout report, Ogbeifun gave other recommendations as environmental extension, saying there is an urgent need to revisit the curriculum of environmental officers to make them meet the needs of the time and address the effect of methane.
The report called for the creation of a market for biowaste, saying; “Stakeholders have to work out the framework to create a market for biodegradable wastes where waste owners can sell their waste for money of equivalent gas.
“Communal and general enlightenment on the efficient management of wastes, e.g., composting, sewage management, landfills, dumpsites, wetlands, etc.”
The experts said the creation of a biowaste market would create billionaires and other categories of rich men and women in Nigeria because of the potentials of waste generatable by 210m persons per day.
Ogbeifun said the group encountered challenges in the first phase of methane emission abatement project in some parts of the Niger Delta.
One of the challenges includes the anxiety of the masses who he said seek to know how to drain the swamp used for paddy rice cultivation and further training on upland rice farming. “The financial implications of the methane champions to take the campaign to other rice-producing communities. We were not financially prepared to sponsor most organizations needing support for their projects within the first half of the project.”
The expert mentioned major achievements of the scheme to include the hunger in Bayelsa State to join the campaign. He said; “Bayelsa State has expressed optimism in being part of the programme.
“To elicit private partnership in producing biodigesters, we are now being asked to produce a biodigester within livestock and paddy rice facilities.
“We printed a policy brief to government policy formulators and implementers. There is the establishment of methane champions in Boki and Ibeno Communities of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States with logistics provided by TrustAfrica.
“There is ‘Funding engagement of paddy rice farmers and community leaders in Boki, Cross River State on methane emission abatement by ECOSGF officials, courtesy of TrustAfrica funding.”
He said one inventor, Ogo Chukwudi, was made to present his locally produced big biogas digester and to present his paper to show the benefits of a biodigester to livestock and paddy rice farmers in Delta State and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State workshops courtesy of TrustAfrica Funding Step-down trainings in communities and schools.
Giving a background, Ogbeifun said the landscape of the climate change movement is being threatened by the executive order already signed by the President of a frontline nation and largest democracy led by Donald John Trump. “I am not surprised because, as a businessman, he has always chosen business over anything else. But do not let your hearts be troubled. It is a phase that we shall also overcome.”
He said methane is a major challenge in the global resolve to address Climate Change and its impacts. “Though it is an innocuous, naturally occurring Greenhouse Gas (GHG) in the atmosphere, it becomes hazardous in high concentrations. At the dawn of the 19ᵗʰ Century (that is, over 100 years after the industrial revolution in Europe), the effects of methane had already become almost 30 times greater than those of carbon dioxide!
“Today, one century later, methane emissions from fossil fuel exploitation are reckoned the leading contributor to global anthropogenic causes of climate change. For instance, we know now that the impact of Methane is estimated as ~84 times greater than carbon dioxide when averaged over 20 years, and ~28 times more powerful when averaged over 100 years (IPCC, 5ᵗʰ Assessment). There are similar damning reports, including the fact that methane from all sources, natural and anthropogenic, is the second most abundant GHG in the atmosphere.
“Of all the significant sources of emissions into the atmosphere, agriculture and improper waste management directly or indirectly relate to daily human activities and wastes deriving from them. These activities and wastes contribute immensely to the anthropogenic sources of methane, which has been identified as a potent GHG contributing to global warming. Methane emissions degrade the environment and contribute to human health hazards if not contained.”
In his opening speech (virtual), Obi remarked that there is panic around due to the emergence of Donald Trump as president of one of the most important championing countries of the world whereby Trump has nullified all regulations on climate change.
Obi of ECOSGF advised activists to devise other ways to carry on activities in the face of the Trump challenge. He urged them to re-imagine their plans.
Goodwill messages came from National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), from the academia, researchers, and other partner institutions.
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