The Nigerian Environment Ministry is calling for more transparency and accountability from international oil and gas companies regarding their gas flaring emissions. Despite a small decrease in gas flaring from previous years, the country has still seen an increase in flaring volumes in 2024. Nigeria remains in the top ten countries globally for gas flaring, but efforts have been made to improve policies and encourage investments in capturing flare gas through the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme.
Minister Iziaq Kunle Salako highlighted the harmful environmental consequences of gas flaring and emphasized the need for infrastructure to capture and utilize gas instead of burning it. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) is actively addressing gas flaring and methane emissions, with the creation of the Nigerian Gas Flaring Tracker system to monitor and track flare volumes and carbon dioxide emissions.
While progress has been made, challenges remain in tackling gas flaring in Nigeria, including infrastructure deficits, regulatory enforcement issues, lack of investment, technological gaps, and low community involvement. The ministry aims to collaborate with stakeholders to eliminate gas flaring from hydrocarbon operations by 2030 through regulations, investments, technology transfer, capacity building, community engagement, and other measures.
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