The Ejiro and Otive Igbuzor Foundation has called on the federal government and key players in the oil and gas industry to end the age-long flaring of gas, as it has poisoned the atmosphere, damaged ecosystems, and destroyed farmlands, rendering them infertile in the Niger Delta.

Its President, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, stated this at a workshop jointly organised by the Global Greengrants Fund and Fountain held at Delta State University, Abraka, saying, gas flaring is an environmental hazard and a human rights issue, and the stakeholders must see it as an urgent task to save the entire region.

Speaking on the theme, “Advocacy Against Gas Flaring in Ughelli North LGA”, Igbuzor said the workshop intended to spotlight the environmental and economic impact of flaring in oil-producing communities, particularly its detrimental effects on women’s livelihoods and biodiversity.

Citing communities like Orogun, Evwrerni, and Ogor, he said the stench of burning gas often leads to a lack of access to basic social amenities.

“We gathered here to present a research report, and subsequently land has been polluted in the name of profit. We are here to confront and give voice to the silent suffering of communities whose air, water, and the longstanding environmental injustice that gas flaring has imposed on the people of Ughelli North and beyond,” he said.

Also, its Executive Director, Monday Osasah, regretted that women in the region and state had unhealthy relationships with their environment, adding that they are connecting with the environment for their survival and the role they play in environmental management.

“Residents of oil and mineral-bearing communities in Delta state have continued to cope with the challenges of corrugated and corroded roofs because by the composition of the rain that falls because of flaring,” he said.

He maintained that research has shown that the primary causes of acid rain are sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions and nitrogen oxides (NO2), which combine with atmospheric moisture to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid, respectively.

“The continued cases of gas flaring have not only meant that a potential energy source and sources of revenue has gone up in smoke, but it is also a major contributor to air pollution and CO₂ emissions,” he said.