Daniel Gumm
13 January 2009
As European nations face gas shortages, Friends of the Earth International is putting pressure on the Nigerian government to ensure that oil companies stop flaring Nigerian gas.
Following a December 31, 2008 deadline to end harmful gas flaring in Nigeria, Friends of the Earth International stated yesterday in a campaign letter writing and directed to President Yar'Adua asking the Nigerian government to prevail on oil companies to end flaring gas.
Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell is the largest producer of gas and oil in Nigeria.
This practice of gas flaring costs the African countries about US$2.5 billion annually, while more than 66 per cent of the population is estimated to live in poverty.
"Major oil companies are flaring gas in the oil-rich Niger Delta despite the fact that a Nigerian judge stated that flaring is illegal.
Oil giants have been burning gas for decades which ought to be used to provide energy to the local population.
The government must ensure that oil companies stop this destructive practice now," said Nnimmo Bassey, Friends of the Earth International Chair and Friends of the Earth Nigeria Executive Director.
Nigeria is one of the world's biggest gas-flarers. Nigerian gas flares emit as many greenhouse gases as 18 millions cars, and release toxic substances in densely populated areas, damaging both the environment and the people in the Niger Delta.
Flaring can lead to leukemia, asthma and premature death. It causes acid rain which acidifies lakes and streams and damages the environment.
The Nigerian Federal Government recently pledged to halt gas flares in Nigeria and set December 31st, 2008 as the zero flare date. For the first time it also raised the prospect of punitive action for any breach.
"Pressure on the Nigerian government to end gas flaring once and for all is mounting. The government must enforce its deadline and ensure the end of flaring. Local people have waited long enough.
All oil companies, including Shell should simply comply with Nigerian law", said Paul de Clerck, Corporates Campaigner for Friends of the Earth International.
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