Tinubu Vows To Curb Oil Spills, Gas Flaring

Tinubu vows to curb oil spills, gas flaring as he moves to put an end to environmental degradation in Niger Delta

In decades of oil production in Nigeria, Niger Delta region has always been the mainstay, with no other region in the country can boast of the same.

The issues of environmental hazard and degradation caused by oil production in the region have been underreported for some time but at this juncture, we can recall that this menace has birthed various uprisings within the region.

Just a matter of few days ago, the Niger Delta militants threatened to blow up all oil facilities and installations if nothing is done to savage the ecological situation ravaging the region of its river and soil fertilities and nutrients.

Many footages and images have emerged and reemerged on the internet showing dead fish afloat the rivers in many parts of the region. But still no resolute moves ever have been made by the Federal Government of Nigeria to savage oil spills and gas flaring situation.

From one Niger Delta community to the other, there are no good and accessible roads, no or barely constant electricity within the region which has raised “prominence” eyebrows in recent times and the call was made to address the environmental issues.

In reaction to environmental degradation ravaging the oil-producing region of the country, President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to bring the hazard to an end.

On Wednesday, the government of President Bola Tinubu expressed its commitment and readiness, in partnership with Bayelsa State Government, to address the “oil spills and gas flaring” menace ravaging the Niger Delta region for sometimes now.

This assurance was made, in Abuja, at the International Conference on Petroleum Pollution and Just Transition in the Niger Delta, tagged: ‘Advancing the recommendation of the Bayelsa State oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC).’ A conference set up by Social Action in collaboration with Ford Foundation and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF).

Member of the House of Lords, Honorable John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu is the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission, proposed a collective global effort to generate and invest the minimum of $12billion within twelve years repair, solve and reinstate the environmental and public health problems catalyzed by oil and gas in order to initiate the source for Bayelsa’s holistic transition towards renewable energy and privilege for alternative livelihood.

Standing in for President Tinubu during the conference was Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, who disclosed the readiness on the part of the current administration to ameliorate ecological issues while ensuring economic growth within the region.

“We are committed to reducing and investing in clean technology and enhancing regulatory frameworks to protect the regions rich ecosystem,” he said.

Director Upstream Mr. Busari Kamoru, speaking on behalf of the Minister, also echoed the claim by the Petroleum Resources Minister by reaffirming the Federal Government’ readiness to attain the “2030 gas flare out agendum.”

He also disclosed the administration’s pledge to find lasting solution to “partner with Bayelsa State and we will on getting the report adopt this report as a working document and to ensure that whatever we need to do we will do.

“If we need to change any aspect of the Act that will ensure the full implementation of this report, we will.”

Governor of Bayelsa State Diri Douye, on his assertion, critiqued that unchecked International Oil Companies’ activities in the region have negatively impacted the region’s rivers and soil.

“With regulations like the Associated Gas Re-Injection Act of 1979 and the more recent Flare Gas Regulations of 2018, the penalties imposed on IOCs remain negligible compared to the profit made from continued flaring.

“While international policies in places like Norway, Canada and the EU, impose stringent environmental standards and heavy fines, making it costly to bypass regulations, Nigeria’s federal structure has largely accepted the option of fines over enforcing actual environmental safeguards.

“This preference for penalties over meaningful regulatory enforcement has allowed international oil companies to operate with minimal accountability.

“The fight for the Niger Delta’s environmental survival cannot be reduced to mere shadowboxing; it demands concrete action, unwavering commitment, and collective responsibility.

“Let me be clear: Bayelsa’s contributions to Nigeria are immense. We produce 18 – 20% of the nation’s oil wealth, generating over $10 billion annually.

“Yet, despite this wealth drawn from our land, our people receive crumbs, and none of these companies have seen fit to establish their headquarters on our soil. Not one.

“Meanwhile, their profits flow freely while our people choke sorely on polluted air and wade through poisoned waters.

“Urgent intervention is needed. But we cannot do this alone.

“The magnitude of our challenges requires the involvement of global stakeholders; international alliances, compassionate nations, and responsible organisations willing to stand alongside us.

The Bayelsa State governor also implored all the IOC’s to move their headquarters to Bayelsa, as a part of ongoing drive to ascertain that they “contribute meaningfully and directly to the communities from which they extract so much. Not as tourists, with no stake.

“This sense of neglect has already bred militancy. I want to warn, if this persists, a different wave of resistance will rise, one led, not by arms but by minds, by the brilliant, disillusioned youths who demand accountability for their land and future.

“But I still dare to hold the hope for a future where Bayelsa and other oil producing states heal,” he added.

Tinubu Vows To Curb Oil Spills, Gas Flaring