A bill seeking to check gas flaring in the country scaled second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The proposed legislation is seen as a major step toward tackling one of Nigeria’s longstanding environmental challenges and fostering gas utilization in the country.
The bill sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), seeks to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas, except under tightly regulated conditions.
It also introduces mechanisms to harness Nigeria’s vast gas resources to drive economic growth, generate energy, and align with global climate change commitments. ha
Key provisions of the bill include the Prohibition of Gas Flaring: Gas flaring is banned except during emergencies or with explicit authorisation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mandatory Gas Utilisation Plans: Operators must submit detailed plans to capture, process, or commercialise gas that would otherwise be flared, Penalties for Violators: Offenders face fines of $5 per 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas flared, with repeat violations risking operational suspension, Community Compensation, Affected communities must be compensated, and environmental restoration must be undertaken in areas impacted by gas flaring and Transparency in Reporting: Gas flaring incidents must be reported, with the NUPRC auditing and publishing the data for public oversight.
Benson, who led the debate at the plenary, stressed the bill’s importance in addressing environmental, health, and economic concerns.
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He said: “Gas flaring contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and acid rain, exacerbating climate challenges.
“Pollutants from gas flaring cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly among residents near flaring sites. Economically, flaring wastes a valuable resource that could be harnessed for energy or revenue generation.”
The proposed law also aims to position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable oil and gas practices, aligning the country with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission will be responsible for enforcing the law, conducting audits, imposing penalties, and supporting gas utilisation projects in collaboration with operators and development partners.
The lawmakers praised the bill for its potential to enhance public health, protect the environment, and drive economic progress.
Benson urged his colleagues to support the legislation, describing it as a demonstration of their collective commitment to sustainable development and national progress.
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