Mohammed Shosanya
A new research on the impact of oil spills and gas flaring in the Niger Delta has recommended that at least US$12 billion would be required over the course of 12 years to repair, remediate and restore the environmental and public health damage caused in the region.
The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission under the chairmanship of a member of the House of Lord, Hon. John Tucker Sentamu undertook the research.
He made the recommendation in Abuja on Thursday,while addressing participants at the International Conference on Petroleum Pollution and Just Transition in the Niger Delta with the theme: ‘Advancing the recommendations of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC)’ organised by Social Action in collaboration with Ford Foundation and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF).
Besides,President Bola Tinubu has pledged to partner the Bayelsa State Government to overcome challenges associated with oil spills and gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, represented him at the event and told participants that the administration of Tinubu is ready to reduce the ecological impact while supporting economic growth.
He said:“We are committed to reducing and investing in clean technology and enhancing regulatory frameworks to protect the regions rich ecosystem.”
He assured stakeholders of the administration resolve towards achieving the 2030 gas flare out agenda.
He said:”We are ready to “partner with Bayelsa State and we will on getting the report, adopt it 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.”
The Bayelsa State Governor Diri Douye,faulted the activities of international oil companies’ saying they flagrantly devastate the soil and water resources.
Lauding the report findings, he harped on the need for the implementation of the report.
According to him,the IOCs must find a way to meet their responsibilities, not in empty words, but in tangible actions, just as he beckoned on all the Governors from the oil producing states to join hands with Bayelsa State in this battle for environmental justice.
“Similarly, we demand that the Federal Government grants Bayelsa greater access to ecological funds. The dilemma before us is chiefly a result of the inept enforcement by the Federal agencies vested with this mandate and lopsided oil and gas laws in Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s gas flaring policies, despite their intent, have fallen short of effective action.
“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.
“The magnitude of our challenges requires the involvement of global stakeholders; international alliances, compassionate nations, and responsible organisations willing to stand alongside us”.