FG urged to tackle gas flaring in N/Delta

The Akwa Ibom State Government has expressed worry over the rising degradation of the environment by the continuous gas flaring from oil companies in the State. The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stated this at the opening ceremony of Daily Trust Foundation, Investigative /Multimedia Journalism Training supported by the MacArthur Foundation […]

The Akwa Ibom State Government has expressed worry over the rising degradation of the environment by the continuous gas flaring from oil companies in the State.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stated this at the opening ceremony of Daily Trust Foundation, Investigative /Multimedia Journalism Training supported by the MacArthur Foundation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, recently.

He said that the gas flaring has continued to create health issues and degraded the ecosystem in the state.

He called for urgent action to redress the activities to avoid further damage in the state.

Ememobong said that if the flared gases are adequately managed it could be used to reduce the cost of cooking gas that is beyond   the reach of ordinary Nigerians.

“The gas flared over the years in the South South part of Nigeria can be converted to greater domestic use so that the price can be made affordable.

Also, Prof. Comfort Etuk of the Faculty of Science, University of Uyo said the situation was saddening.

Etuk who also is the chairman of Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Akwa Ibom chapter, said the gas flaring has strongly affected the environment and human lives in the state.

“Plants cannot grow, animals are driven away and the scenario of day and night is no longer there, because there is constant light as a result of gas flaring.”