The federal government on Saturday said continuous gas flaring in the Niger Delta remains an impediment to socio-economic development and growth in the country.
Minister of Environment, Mrs. LaurentiaMallam, stated this while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Liquidity Natural Gas Limited led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. BabsOmotowa, in her office.
The minister lamented that the emission of gas to air “has serious environmental and health hazards” adding that, “the country has also continued to lose huge revenue yearly from gas flaring.”
Mallam stressed that “the eradication of gas flaring and other environmental hazards would reduce the devastating effects of climate change currently ravaging the socio-economic status and health of the world.”
The minister commended the company on its efforts in assisting to minimise gas flaring in the country and reiterated the federal government’s relentless commitment in ensuring the elimination of gas flaring in Nigeria.
Similarly, Mallam commended Liquidity Natural Gas Limited for its dedication in increasing the production of cooking gas and employment, noting that “the increase in production of cooking gas would encourage the populace to cook with gas rather than cutting trees which causes desertification and environmental problems.”
Mallam assured the company of the ministry’s full support and collaboration in eradicating gas flaring and unemployment in the country.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. RabiuJimeta, maintained that the ministry intends to create synergy with every company or organisation in eradicating gas flaring in accordance with environmental regulations of the country.
Earlier, Omotowa had said that the company deals with numerous businesses, noting that it has assisted in reducing gas flaring in the country.
He pointed out that the company “produces 80 per cent cooking gas, thereby minimising desertification that would encourage more Nigerians to use cooking gas rather than cutting trees for firewood.”
He explained that his organisation was among the biggest shipowners and has created 18,000 jobs as well as increased capacity building in the maritime sector. He observed that the company is the 4th largest plant in the world, with enormous potentials in the oil industry.
Omotowa, whose company is based in Bonny, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, expressed great gratitude to the ministry for its support since the establishment of the company in Nigeria in 1999.
Culled from: http://www.thisdaylive.com
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