Gas flaring in Niger Delta criminal act – Bassey

The Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, decried gas flaring by oil and gas firms in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Speaking during the 3rd National Conference on Climate Change themed “Channelling Action Towards Just, Sustainable Climate Financing,” held Monday in Abuja, Bassey stressed the need for partnership between policymakers and communities, underscoring the necessity for the restoration of the mangrove in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

He described gas flaring as not only a crime against humanity but a blatant disregard for the need to tackle global warming.

“As Africans, we can complain about what others are doing to us. But we also have to complain about what we are doing to ourselves. And gas flaring is one of them,” he said.

“Nigeria has been flaring gas as far back as the 1950s. This gas flaring is a crime because it is killing people. It is also affecting global warming. And we just accept it as one of those things as far as we can get money from oil. But as much as we blame global polluters, we should not permit others to do so.

“So we need to get communities more active, get them to be more vocal, and get them to close the gaps between the policymakers and communities.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement in the zone, Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, who was among the resource persons who spoke during the event, said arrangements have been concluded to commence a Citizens Assembly starting from Gboko in Benue State.

She explained that the Assembly would afford those affected by floods in the area the opportunity to express their views on areas where they would like the government to provide support.

The presidential aide disclosed that afterwards she would be engaging with people affected by floods in Plateau and neighbouring Nasarawa State to document issues regarding climate change and intervention programmes required by the people of the area.

Stating that her office is partnering with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to achieve the goal, she expressed readiness to support ongoing efforts by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) to address the impact of climate change in the polity.