12 January 2009
The Minister of Environment, Mr John Odey has called for the assistance of Japan in tackling the problem of gas flaring and other issues of environmental degradation in Nigeria.
The Minister made the call in Abuja when he received the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Toshitsugu Uesawa in his office at the weekend.
According to the Minister, the issues of environment have gained such urgency that nations of the world must collaborate in order to find sustainable solutions.
He noted that the issues of environment had been ignored all along in the developmental planning of the developing countries including Nigeria.
He however pointed out that the ouster of the problems of environment could be blamed on paucity of fund for development among the countries.
"I hope we can cooperate and collaborate here to create safe and better environment. The plank of this government as you are aware is the 7-Point Agenda and Vision 2020 through which we are to put Nigeria among the industrialised nations of the world."
"We shall be willing to open up discussions on environmental development between your country and relevant department here. Whatever assistance we can get will be welcome especially in the area of gas flaring."
Earlier, the Japanese Ambassador stated that his team had come to intimate the Minister about the environmental development initiative of the government of Japan
The initiative, known as Cool Earth Initiative estimated to cost about $10billion, is to collaborate with the developing countries to tackle the problems of environmental degradation.
The Ambassador said that the initiatives will be comprehensive enough to cover several sectors including the agricultural and industrial sectors.
He noted that the through the initiative, Japan would also deliver technical assistance to the recipient nations to gain technology for tackling environmental problems.
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Natural gas in nigeria is one of the products derived hand in hand with petroleum by the petroleum industry in nigeria.Its source could be from oils wells or dry gas sources as the case may be. Why their uses as power sources and for chemical production cannot be over emphasized there is a need to take a cursory look at the situation in nigeria.
The abundant gas supplies in nigeria have over the years been flared making them a continuous source of air and water pollution. As a way of curbing it, the minister for environment is seeking japan's assistance in tackling gas flares as refers.
The issue in context is quite disheartening. The reason being that we are not tackling gas flaring itself but the problem of gas flaring i.e the effect or rather the aftermath results produced by gas flaring. Permit me to ask this question. Is nigerian natural gas which is adjudged to be among the best in the world now considered a waste that the only way through which it can be put to use is by continuous flaring? Not only are we endangering our ecosystem but also we are depriving the populace of a viable means of employment if well harnessed.
On a last note, the intention to bring in Japan into this should not be to aid us for flaring alone but to work hand in hand with patriotic Nigerians to put this wealth to good use for the benefit of all.On the whole we need square pegs in square holes to move our country forward. Thank you.
joseph, nigeria