Gas flaring: Compel oil companies to convert wasted product into electricity – Group urges FG

A group, the Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Development has urged the Federal government to prevail on oil companies to convert the wasted gas into electricity.

This is coming after the Federal Government imposed penalties on Oil companies flaring gas in the country.

The federal government had imposed a $49m (N22bn) fine on oil and gas companies operating Onshore for flaring 24b Standard Cubic Feet of gas valued at about N40bn( ($86m) between January and February 2023.

Now, the group in a statement signed by its president, Apostle (Dr.) Ufot Phenson and made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Friday commended the FG for the fine imposition and also urged it to compel the oil companies to pay compensation to the affected victims of gas flaring as well as restore the polluted environment and make it safe for human habitation.

He said, “We appeal to the federal government to apply all the powers at its disposal to compel all Oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria, to convert the wasted flared gas to generate electricity, pay compensation to the affected victims of gas flaring and restore the polluted/devasted Akwa Ibom environment to make it safe for human habitation, survival and development for a peaceful coexistence.”

Dr Phenson lamented that gas flaring and oil spills witnessed in different oil-producing communities have brought untold suffering to the communities, saying that the government’s move was a clear indication that it has the interest of the people at heart.

“The gas flaring and oil spills in Akwa Ibom State, as well as other states in the Niger Delta, have affected the economic and social lives of the people even the environmental devastation therein.” He stated.