The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, has said the ministry through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency will be commencing periodic review of the plans of international and indigenous oil companies to ensure they stay on course to end routine gas flaring by 2030.
Salako said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the national stakeholder’s engagement meeting on methane mitigation and reduction in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with significant warning potential compared to carbon dioxide, poses a major threat to the health and well-being of current and future generations and climate protection goals.
Reducing methane emissions, especially in the oil and gas sector will strengthen climate action and unlock benefits for public health, food security, and economic development.
Salako said practical steps are being taken to address methane emissions in the country.
He noted that “Collaborative efforts of government institutions have led to the development of methane guidelines. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency will be commencing the periodic review of the plans of international and indigenous oil companies to ensure they stay on course to end routine gas flaring by latest 2030.
The minister said that President Bola Tinubu is committed to environmental sustainability and climate action in line with the multilateral environmental agreements that Nigeria is party to.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Kambari said it is necessary to address methane emissions in the oil and gas industry as the stakes and opportunities are high.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Africa Policy Research Institute, Olumide Abimbola, noted that there is a need to address the pressing impacts of methane emissions on climate and environment.
Abimbola, who was represented by Chibuikem Agbaegbu said that methane, a potent greenhouse gas, poses a significant threat to both the health of our planet and the well-being of current and future generations.
