The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Baku, Azerbaijan from Monday, November 11 to 22, 2024.
EnviroNews photographer, Mayowa Adebote, captured some colourful details of the global summit.
Cross-cutting experts in the environmental community have called for urgent changes in Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act to tackle its inadequacies.
Giving the charge at a one-day stakeholders’ national dialogue on the EIA Act hosted by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) in partnership with OXFAM in Nigeria and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Abuja, the group emphasises that the proposed amendments should reflect current ecological and socioeconomic realities.
The talk, themed “Engaging Stakeholders on Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act,” brought together environmental specialists, policymakers, civil society organisations, and corporate sector representatives to brainstorm about the Act, which was last amended in 2004.
Significant flaws in the present legislation were noted by the participants, including its outdated provisions, weak enforcement mechanisms, and inadequate attention to new problems like biodiversity loss and climate change.
The absence of meaningful participation of local people in environmental decision-making processes was also spotted by the stakeholders as another important problem that the legislative framework must take into consideration.
In his keynote speech, GIFSEP Executive Director, Dr. David Michael Terungwa, underlined how important it is for Nigeria to bring its environmental regulations into line with international best practices.
According to the environmental rights advocate, the alignment is critical since the EIA Act, as it currently stands, has struggled to keep up with evolving problems, despite the fact that environmental sustainability is at the heart of sustainable growth.
This is why, he continued, the conversation marks a key step by his organisation in contributing to tackling the issue and ensuring that development projects in the country do not harm the environment, biodiversity, or future generations.
He drew the participants’ attention to the Act’s recent extensive media coverage, particularly in view of the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which he acknowledged is essential to accomplishing the country’s economic goals since it promotes trade, transportation, and general socioeconomic development.
“However, it is imperative that such development does not come at the expense of crucial social and environmental considerations that underpin sustainable development,” he stated.
In an exclusive interview with Professor Jude Nduka Omeje from the University of Abuja, at the sideline of the event, he said there is a need for a more effective EIA Act that will be holistic in adapting to emerging issues.
“When this Act was enacted, there were some issues that are challenging to us today that were not there before,” he observed, adding that when the act was promulgated, “emphasis was made on developmental issues, oil and gas, and mining, but today, there are direct impacts of activities that may not be developmental activities but projects.”
The academia hinted that several government projects, such as mass housing, have unintended consequences on the environment, such as deforestation. “When you build two houses, you replant trees there so that it will cushion the effects of climate change,” he advised.
Prof. Omeje’s submission underscored the importance of scaling up data collection as part of actions to reduce environmental risks.
The event’s discussions focused on crucial areas that require transformation in the Act. Stakeholders, including officials from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja Geographic Information Service, Department of Climate Change, and others, stressed the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent ecologically hazardous projects from skipping due procedure.
They also argued for the inclusion of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in the EIA framework to ensure its continued relevance in a rapidly changing world, as well as the inclusion of host communities’ perspectives and interests in the environmental assessment process.
To solve these problems, numerous recommendations were made. These include amending the Act to require frequent environmental audits, imposing stiffer fines for noncompliance, and strengthening regulatory agencies’ capabilities to increase oversight and enforcement. Public awareness programs were also proposed to educate stakeholders on the need of following EIA protocols.
At the end of the exercise, everyone agreed that modernising the EIA Act is essential to reaching Nigeria’s sustainability objectives. By fixing its present hitches, the nation can better safeguard its ecosystems, manage its natural resources, and slow down environmental deterioration.
By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) on Friday, December 6, 2024, trained locals in the Niger Delta on how to transit from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
The training, which was held in Benin, brought together community leaders, youths, and women from various Niger Delta communities, particularly from the oil producing communities.
Babawale Obayanju, a renowned environmentalist, delivered the first lecture, which focused on understanding the concept of just energy transition and the need to defund fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy.
Obayanju emphasised that a just energy transition was crucial for addressing climate change and ensuring energy justice for all.
According to him, the current energy system, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, was unsustainable and has devastating impacts on the environment and local communities.
Obayanju stressed that a transition to renewable energy sources was necessary to mitigate climate change and ensure a sustainable future.
The activist, who described just energy transition as shift in energy source to more sustainable forms in a morally right and fair manner, said the locals must restrict any transition, which did not take them into consideration.
“Just energy transition is not just about ending the era of fossil fuels, it is about doing it in a fair way that benefits the community.
“As local communities, you will need to build your knowledge. If any energy project is brought to your communities and you need to donate land, you must first assess what can be the environmental impact of such.
“Position yourself in a right place and ask good questions. Access necessary knowledge before taking a decision on such project,” he said.
He enlightened the participants to always consider their means of livelihood, their women and children and to be more circumspect.
On his part, Cadmus Atake-Enade, another environmental expert, centred his lecture on the use of cultural tools for resistance.
Atake-Enade underscored the importance of cultural heritage in the struggle for environmental justice.
According to him, cultural tools, such as traditional music, dance, and art, can be effective instruments for resistance against environmental degradation and injustice.
Atake-Enade encouraged the participants to harness their cultural heritage to mobilise their communities against environmental threats, without resorting to violence.
The training encouraged the participants to demand inclusive and participatory approaches to energy transition and the need to ensure their rights and interests are respected.
By Usman Aliyu
The Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shittima, on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Abuja, launched the Nigeria Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis 2024 document.
Shettima, at the launch, said that the document was conceived from extensive research.
He said that it aimed to enhance Nigeria’s readiness against ecological uncertainties by providing essential data for decision-making and implementing early warning systems.
The document was put together by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with UNICEF.
The report reflects a collective effort to build resilience and infrastructure necessary for disaster prevention and response, aiming to protect lives, property, and the environment.
The Vice-President said that a mature nation was one that anticipated future emergencies and planned accordingly, hence the need for the event.
He acknowledged the recurring crises in Nigeria, such as floods and health emergencies, underscoring the need for a robust disaster management framework.
According to him, the analysis empowers policymakers and community leaders with insights to devise strategies that reduce risks and save lives, transitioning from reactive to proactive approaches.
“The frequency and intensity of disasters in Nigeria has increased over the last decade, telling us all to rise to the occasion.
“This is why we can not afford to be caught unaware. While we may not be able to entirely prevent all disasters, especially the natural one, we can atleast mitigate it.
“This foundation will allow us to build effective risk reduction strategies and strengthen the resilience of our communities,” he said.
Shettima said that the report reflected the determination of the Federal Government, and also leads a strong foundation for enhanced preparedness and response across Nigeria.
“This is a moment for all stakeholders to collaborate in utilising this tool to reinforce the infrastructure for protecting lives, property, and the environment.
“This is the time of service we owe this great nation,” he said.
He commended NEMA and other stakeholders for their efforts in compiling the comprehensive report, which serve as a foundation for effective risk reduction strategies.
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, called for community-centered innovation.
Kalu urged legislators to utilise their constituency offices to drive risk-informed programmes and build grassroots capacity for disaster response.
He encouraged federal agencies to collaborate with federal constituencies, emphasising their proximity to the people and their vital role in disseminating crucial information.
He called for the shared responsibility of disaster management, while commending the contributions of international agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
The lawmaker urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to utilise the insights presented to inform legislation, oversight actions, and strategic partnerships aimed at safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
He expressed hope that the inauguration would mark the unveiling of a document and also the beginning of tangible actions towards a more resilient Nigeria.
The Country Representative, UNICEF Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said that the project was achieved under the leadership of NEMA, with technical support from UNICEF and generous contributions from the Swedish government.
“Over 400 representatives of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies at the federal and state level, academic institutions, as well as international organisations participated in this effort.
“Understanding risk is not just about data, it is about saving lives, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
“In terms of emergency preparedness, knowing where floods tend to occur over the past 10 years can help, on the one hand, to prioritise investment,” she said.
According to her, together, with this document, we can transform risk into resilience and create a safer, more prosperous future for every child in Nigeria
The Director-General, NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, emphasised the importance of periodically reviewing the risk analysis to align with the current hazard landscape in Nigeria.
Umar said that the analysis provided a detailed risk profile ranking hazards by severity and impact across different regions.
“UNICEF has been providing technical support since 2021, helping NEMA to collect and analyse hazard risk data.
“The collaboration aims to enhance Nigeria’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
“The updated risk analysis will inform the National Contingency Plan, enabling more effective disaster management strategies and humanitarian interventions across the country,” she said.
By Philomina Attah
In an effort to mitigate the impact of climate change, an NGO, Save the Slum Initiative (STSI), said it has developed a Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA) to improve resilience for vulnerable communities.
Samuel Adeyinka, Executive Director of the NGO, made this known on Friday, December 6, 2024, at a one-day dialogue to co-create LAPA in Kaduna.
Adeyinka explained that Save the Slum Initiative under the coordination of YaddyTech, Mscrissar Foundation with support from Nigeria Youth SDGs and the German Mission in Nigeria is engaging with community to dialogue on climate policy and action.
According to him, the aim of the dialogue forum is to share insights on community-driven adaptation measures needed to address vulnerabilities identified during earlier community dialogues.
He said the forum provided an inclusive platform for refining the first draft of LAPA, while fostering collaboration on actionable climate adaptation strategies.
Adeyinka said priority actions were being identified based on urgency, resource availability and impact potential as participants develope clear timeline for implementation and assigning leadership roles to specific stakeholders.
“Another critical component of the forum is the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.
The executive director said stakeholders would outline strategies for sharing the final LAPA draft with communities, government bodies and other partners.
“They also defined measurable indicators to track progress, proposed actionable recommendations for various stakeholder groups, including state ministries, CSOs, youth, and community leaders.
“This inclusive process reflects the unique challenges and opportunities within Kaduna State, making the plan more relevant and impactful for local communities.
“As the forum concluded, stakeholders expressed their commitment to implementing community-driven solutions to mitigate climate risks and improve resilience,” Adeyinka noted.
He said the LAPA initiative had positioned Kaduna State as a leader in developing inclusive, replicable frameworks for local climate action in Nigeria.
“With the combined efforts of organisers, stakeholders and supporting partners, this dialogue forum marks a milestone in Kaduna’s journey toward sustainable development and climate resilience,” he assumed.
Participants at the event included representatives from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), government officials, community leaders, and other key actors.
By Ezra Musa
Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) on Friday, December 6, 2024, assured host communities in the Niger Delta of getting jobs to grow Nigerian content.
Olanrewaju Olawuyi, SPDC’s General Manager, Nigerian Content, said this at the panel sessions of the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum organised by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
SPDC operates a Joint Venture with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, TotalEnergies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
Olawuyi told stakeholders that the company had signed Community Content plans on specific services and supplies to be provided by communities in its area of operations.
According to him, such plans have been signed with Bonny and EA, with a third expected to be finalised next year.
“The Community Content plans set out in clear terms the services communities can offer and our role in supporting them. It is a mutually rewarding relationship.
“SPDC, which pioneered Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, has taken deliberate efforts to develop Nigerian Content in its area of operations in the past 60 years.
“The company has decided to pay particular attention to communities by giving them opportunities to develop their processes to industry standards.
“We’re not just giving opportunities to supply boats and other basic things; no, we are moving beyond that.
“We are talking about how communities can provide services, which capability we are going to build together in this relationship.
“So, we can tell that we are committed to building community capabilities and we see that there is a great future in this regard.
“It means communities can grow to supply goods and services not just to SPDC but to other international oil companies,” Olawuyi said.
He listed the scholarship awards and the NCDMB/Shell/PETAN as well as SAP internships as the platforms the energy firm uses to implement its policies on Nigerian content.
Olawuyi said: “All these are transformational. The testimonies of the individuals will touch and melt any heart; how their lives have been touched and how their fortunes have changed.”
The panel stress the need to involve professionals, youths and community stakeholders early in the implementation of projects to ensure they deliver the desired goals for companies and host communities.
By Nathan Nwakamma
Stakeholders have pledged their commitment to strengthening social, environmental and climate change procedures in IFAD projects for effective implementation of Social, Environment and Climate Change Assessment Procedures (SECAP).
The stakeholders made the commitment at the wrap-up of national workshop on SECAP organised by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)/Sustain International Programme on Friday, December 6, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
SECAP is a framework IFAD uses to assess the social, environmental and climate impacts of projects it supports.
The framework helps the organisation to ensure its projects meet its social, environmental and climate policies by guiding on how to identify potential risks and impacts; and avoid, minimise, reduce or mitigate them.
Dr Priscilla Achakpa, Climate Change expert and IFAD Consultant, said that the training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of IFAD-funded projects.
Achakpa said social, environmental and climate sustainability was critical in the achievement of IFAD’s mandate, adding that there was need for collective action in addressing impacts of climate change on agricultural development in the country.
She said that recent climatic challenges like floods among others had justified the need for reverse climate adaptation measures.
“The need to address climate change impacts must remain central to agricultural development initiatives.
“Effective project outcomes depend on inclusive and active participation of all stakeholders, including farmer organisations and decision makers at various levels.”
Achakpa said that the training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of IFAD-funded project staff and stakeholders in Nigeria to improve the quality of SECAP implementation of its projects and programmes.
“The workshop also underscored the importance of integrating social, environmental and climate standards into agricultural projects to promote resilience and sustainability.
“We need to sustain learning, share best practices and support ongoing implementation of social and environmental standards,” she said.
Jenean Pretorius, Lead, Capacity Strengthening, Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results in Anglophone Africa, said her primary role was to lead capacity strengthening within monitoring and evaluation systems.
According to her, there is need to build capacity of project managers in the implementation of projects to ensure their adherence to SECAP standard.
Pretorius said that the gesture was to ensure standards were being adhered to; appreciation for local context and for local challenges to be incorporated into the interventions, among others.
She said financial investment was too meagre compared to what was required towards climate change impact mitigation across the continent.
“Governments need to do more; we need to find also creative ways of dealing with impact.
“I think more needs to be done in terms of indigenous knowledge systems; indigenous knowledge that our great grandparents have used and find how we can infuse that with modern technology,” she said.
Bemigho Wategire, Environment and Climate Change Officer in LIFE-ND and a participant at the workshop, commended IFAD for the training.
She said she was able to learn how to integrate SECAP in her area of coverage.
The training was organised by IFAD-Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises (LIFE-ND) project for staff of IFAD-funded projects, Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Finance, Economy, among others.
Participants, totalling 60, were drawn from IFAD-funded projects of LIFE-ND, Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) at the Federal and State levels, ministries of agriculture and finance among others.
By Felicia Imohimi
As South Africa begins its term as G20 President, a report has found that emissions from fossil fuel extraction across these 20 nations have almost doubled since the Rio Summit in 1992 and have been responsible for 73% of global emissions over those three decades.
The analysis, entitled G20 Carbon Bombs: Threat of Fossil Fuel Reserves vs. Opportunity for a Just Transition, prepared by the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative with data from the Global Registry of Fossil Fuels, found that the G20’s richer OECD members – the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Italy – are best placed to transition their economies away from fossil fuels first and fastest.
In fact, all major fossil fuel-extracting economies in the G20 are in a better position to tackle the transition than they were three decades ago, as fossil fuel extraction as a share of economic activity across the G20 has decreased – particularly in China, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, and India.
As South Africa begins its term as G20 President, there is a critical need to assess the impact this group of countries has on one of the greatest threats facing the world today. Fossil fuel reserves in G20 countries embed over a trillion tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases – enough to blow not just the 1.5ºC but the 2ºC carbon budget.
Leaders of G20 nations gathered in Rio last month and issued a declaration reaffirming the outcome of COP28, which included a commitment to “transition away from fossil fuels”. Additionally, the Rio outcome makes just one mention of fossil fuels – reiterating the group’s commitment from 2009 to “phase-out and rationalise, over the medium term, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”. However, in 2022 alone, G20 members spent $1.4 trillion to support the fossil fuel industry.
The omission of specific further commitments to phase out fossil fuels is particularly concerning given oil and gas projects under development across the G20 embed 70 billion tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases, two-thirds of the global total.
Key Findings
Despite the dwindling carbon budget and their recent commitments to “transition away from fossil fuels”, many of the wealthiest G20 nations have considerable fossil fuel expansion plans despite claiming to be “climate leaders”. This includes Australia, the world’s second-largest fossil fuel exporter with the largest pipeline of proposed coal export projects; Canada, which has tripled gas extraction over the past three decades; and the United States, which has more than a third of the expansion of global oil and gas production planned by mid-century.
The report outlines country-specific, equitable, 1.5ºC-aligned fossil fuel phase out dates and the international financial support required to meet them as outlined in the Equitable Phase Out of Fossil Fuel Extraction report.
Kumi Naidoo, President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “Last month, G20 nations returned to Rio, the site of the Earth Summit in 1992. In those 32 years, these twenty countries have extracted fossil fuels that are responsible for 73% of global emissions – and many of the wealthiest countries in the group have plans to massively expand their coal oil and gas extraction and exports in the years ahead. This fossil-fueled insanity is threatening everything we love. Our own children will live in this future. Can you honestly look into their eyes and say you did everything in your power to stop it?”
Mitzi Jonelle Tan, climate activist for Fridays For Future Philippines, said: “This report lays bare the hypocrisy of the wealthiest G20 nations proclaiming themselves ‘climate leaders’ while relentlessly expanding fossil fuel projects that have driven us closer to catastrophe over the past 30 years. Their commitments to transition away from fossil fuels and phasing out subsidies ring hollow as they double down on extraction. For frontline communities, this isn’t just a betrayal – it’s a death sentence. It’s time for G20 leaders to step up, abandon empty promises, and fulfil their responsibility: no more fossil fuel expansion, only genuine climate action rooted in justice.”
Tori Tsui, climate activist, writer and Senior Advisor for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, said: “This report reveals a stark truth: the wealthiest G20 nations, responsible for the majority of global emissions over the past 30 years, continue to expand fossil fuel projects, failing both the planet and its people. A Fossil Fuel Treaty is crucial to hold these nations accountable, phase out extraction, and lead a global just transition that prioritises the communities bearing the brunt of their inaction.”
The World Bank Group has unveiled a record $100 billion financing package for the 21st replenishment cycle of the International Development Association (IDA21), the largest in the fund’s history. This commitment includes a joint contribution of $23.7 billion from 59 donor countries.
The IDA21 replenishment will provide critical support to low-income countries over a three-year period, from FY2025 to FY2028, strengthening global efforts to address poverty, inequality, and climate change.
The final commitments were made during the replenishment meeting in Seoul, South Korea, held from December 5 to 6, 2024, which brought together World Bank management, governments, and various other stakeholders. The IDA21 financing package surpasses the historic commitment of $93 billion made during the previous replenishment cycle (IDA20).
This funding is vital for 78 countries, including some of the world’s poorest nations, as they work to tackle pressing challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, conflict, fragility, debt burdens, and climate resilience. It is particularly significant for Africa, a major recipient of IDA support – in 2023, nearly 70% of all IDA financing went to African countries. Earlier this year, African leaders called for a replenishment of at least $120 billion in 2024. While the $100 billion allocated falls short of these calls, it still represents an overall increase in funding.
The announcement comes on the heels of a commitment by developed countries to provide $300 billion annually by 2035 for climate finance to developing nations at COP29 last month. However, many developing countries expressed concern that this amount falls significantly short of the financing needed to address the climate crisis. A key demand from these countries at COP29 was for financing to be provided on grant or grant-equivalent terms, given the high debt levels facing many low-income nations.
IDA remains one of the few international financing sources that offer grant financing for countries experiencing severe debt distress, which affects more than half of IDA-eligible countries and very low-cost financing to the remaining countries. Therefore, further to the announcements made at COP29, the IDA contribution will provide a boost to countries to help them meet their adaptation financing needs.
The development has however generated mixed reactions from stakeholders.
Savior Mwambwa, Programme Manager – Economic & Climate Prosperity, Open Society Foundations (OSF), New York, said: “IDA21 represents a critical holding operation – necessary and important – but it falls short of the transformative change we urgently need. The fundamentals of development finance are shifting rapidly, and we must keep pace.
“In the area of climate finance, despite extensive dialogue, there is still no clear framework defining IDA’s role within the broader climate finance architecture. The push for loss and damage funding at COP28 only underscores the urgency of establishing this clarity.”
Hannah Ryder, CEO, Development Reimagined: “From a borrower perspective, the result is a disappointment. The World Bank and donors of course will be keen to present this result as a win, especially in the context of so much bad news these days. And in some ways it is – it is a record in nominal terms and for some donors such as Spain it is a record in both nominal and real terms.
“However, overall, it falls short of modest African leadership calls for at least $120bn, especially because for some donors such as the UK their contributions were close to record lows, especially in real terms, and the commitment to a new climate finance goal made just a few days ago clearly did not factor into their calculations. So while African governments will duly welcome the continuty of IDA access, they will also digest the disappointing underlying message of maintaining the status quo whereby African governments will be the ones who have to work the hardest.
“They will need to work hard to access IDA for fairly small projects – on average $34 million – and will not be able to use this crucial instrument for transformational projects. Nor will IDA necessarily broaden the space for increasing education or health budgets. That space will remain highly constrained, especially in high-inflation environments and ever-increasing populations. Overall – it’s a a disappointing demonstration of what ‘global solidarity’ means today.”
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO of ONE: “Today’s pledging conference was a bold breakthrough in leadership to provide the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives. Investing in IDA is not just a catalyst for growth – it is a chance to strengthen trust between G7 and African nations, fostering global stability and security. It is also an investment in the future. Thirty-five countries have moved from IDA recipients to donors, proving that with the right investment countries can become self-sufficient and support others to do the same.”
Amy Dodd, Independent Consultant: “At a time when the world is struggling through a climate crisis, challenging economic headwinds and deep political instability putting multilateralism under threat, a successful replenishment of $100 billion of the world’s biggest fund for the poorest people and places is something to celebrate. IDA’s ability to leverage contributions means every dollar in will be $3.50 out for countries struggling through what the Bank has called a ‘record’ debt crisis.
“This replenishment saw traditional IDA donors joined by 16 (check) new contributors, growing the donor base for IDA by almost a third. We know we need more to genuinely tackle the challenges the world is facing – but this is a great start and shows the world’s richest countries can do if they choose to pull together.”
A bill for an Act to prohibit gas flaring, encourage gas utilisation and provide for penalties and remedies for gas flaring violations and related matters has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos), in his lead debate on Thursday, December 5, 2024, said the bill represented a decisive legislative intervention aimed at addressing the “long standing and damaging” practice of gas flaring in the country.
According to him, it is firmly rooted in the Nigeria’s constitutional obligation to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
The lawmaker said that the bill sought to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas, except in strictly regulated circumstances, while encouraging the utilisation of gas resources to foster economic growth and energy generation.
“It provides a robust framework for enforcement, monitoring and the imposition of penalties to ensure compliance.
“Furthermore, the bill aims to mitigate the environmental, health and economic impacts of gas flaring, aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas operations with international climate change commitments.
“Gas flaring has plagued Nigeria for decades, leading to severe environmental degradation, public health crises and economic losses.
“Environmentally, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and acid rain, exacerbating climate challenges.
“Public health impacts are equally dire, as pollutants from gas flaring cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly among residents of communities close to flaring sites.
“Economically, flaring results in the waste of a valuable resource that could otherwise be harnessed for energy generation or exported to generate revenue,” he said.
Babajimi said that the bill provided for a comprehensive prohibition of gas flaring except in emergencies or when explicitly authorised by Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
He said that operators were required to submit and implement Gas Utilisation Plans, detailing how gas that would otherwise be flared would be captured, processed or commercialised.
“Offenders who violate these provisions face stringent penalties, including fines of $5 per 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas flared and potential suspension of operations for repeat violations.
“Furthermore, the bill ensures that communities affected by gas flaring are entitled to compensation and environmental restoration, creating a mechanism for redress.
“Transparency and accountability are integral to the enforcement framework of this bill.
“Operators must submit regular reports on gas flaring incidents, which will be audited and made publicly available by the NUPRC. This approach ensures public oversight and stakeholder engagement, fostering trust and compliance,” he said.
The rep said that the bill, when passed into law, would yield significant benefits like reduction in carbon emissions, thereby contributing to Nigeria’s climate targets and promoting sustainability.
He said that, economically, it would unlock the potential of natural gas as an energy resource, enhancing electricity generation, supporting industrialisation and creating jobs.
According to him, the public health benefits cannot be over-emphasised, as reduced flaring will limit air pollution and associated health risks for affected communities.
Babajimi said that Norway’s zero-flaring policy, for instance, had not only protected the environment but also maximised revenue from gas resources.
The lawmaker said that adoption of the bill would position Nigeria to emulate such success, ensuring a balance between environmental stewardship and economic development.
He said that the implementation would be overseen by Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, which would monitor compliance through regular audits and enforcement of penalties, while facilitating gas utilisation projects in collaboration with operators and development partners.
He stated that the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies would also play supporting roles, particularly in monitoring the environmental impact and ensuring remediation, where necessary.
Babajimi said that the bill was timely and a necessary response to one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges.
“Its provisions are both practical and forward-looking, addressing immediate concerns while laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.
“I urge all honourable members to support the second reading of this bill as a demonstration of our collective commitment to environmental protection, public health and economic progress,” he said.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the house, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, referred the bill to relevant committees for further legislative actions.
By EricJames Ochigbo
