A bill seeking to prohibit gas flaring, encourage gas utilization, and provide penalties passed second reading in the House of Representatives
In a significant step toward addressing environmental and economic challenges in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to prohibit gas flaring, encourage gas utilization, and provide penalties and remedies for gas flaring violations.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC Lagos), scaled its second reading during Thursday’s plenary session.
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Speaking on the general principles of the bill, Rep. Benson described it as a decisive legislative intervention to address the harmful and longstanding practice of gas flaring in Nigeria. He emphasized the constitutional obligation to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
“The bill seeks to prohibit gas flaring and venting of natural gas except in strictly regulated circumstances while encouraging the utilization of gas to foster economic growth and energy generation,” Benson said.
Highlighting its significance, Benson added: “This bill aims to mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of gas flaring, aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas operations with international standards. It requires operators to submit liquidated gas utilization plans to capture and repurpose gas for economic benefits.”
Benson further outlined the anticipated benefits of the legislation, including reduced carbon emissions contributing to Nigeria’s climate change targets, enhanced energy generation, industrial growth, and job creation. He described the bill as a “timely and necessary response to one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges.”
Several lawmakers, including Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (PDP Plateau), Rep. Satomi Ahmed (APC Borno), and Rep. Miriam Onuoha (APC Imo), expressed strong support for the bill. They underscored its importance in addressing Nigeria’s environmental and climate challenges.
Gagdi emphasized the need for legislative strength to tackle environmental issues, stating, “Environmental protection is one of the significant aspects we need to address. We are in a global system where each and every country of the world, including both developed and developing countries, are committing their energies to climate change and how to control some of these human factors that contribute to climate change. This bill is not only timely but also aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.”
In his ruling, Speaker of the House Rep. Tajudeen Abbas (APC Kaduna), referred the bill to the House Committee on Gas Resources for further legislative action.
About Gas flaring in Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude oil producer, has emerged as one of the top contributors to global gas flaring in 2023, undermining efforts to reduce environmentally harmful emissions.
According to the World Bank’s annual Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report, oil companies in Nigeria flared 211.73 million cubic meters (7.48 billion cubic feet) of gas, out of the 148 billion cubic meters (5.23 trillion cubic feet) wasted globally in 2023.
Together with eight other countries, Nigeria contributes to 75 percent of global flaring while producing only 46 percent of the world’s oil.
Despite a historical reduction of about 70 percent in flaring since 2000, recent increases highlight ongoing challenges. Nigeria aims to end gas flaring by 2025, ahead of the World Bank’s 2030 target.
Analysis of the report revealed that the gas flared globally by these oil companies surged to its highest level in five years, defying international efforts to curb the practice.
