Minister tasks oil coy on gas flaring

According to her, gas flaring is one of the main challenges affecting the ecosystem.The minister noted that the efforts of French oil and gas giant, Total, in reducing gas flaring were worthy of commendation, urging other oil companies operating in Nigeria to follow the environmental-friendly approach of Total.Mallam, who is participating in the Global Environment […]

According to her, gas flaring is one of the main challenges affecting the ecosystem.
The minister noted that the efforts of French oil and gas giant, Total, in reducing gas flaring were worthy of commendation, urging other oil companies operating in Nigeria to follow the environmental-friendly approach of Total.
Mallam, who is participating in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) assembly in Caucun, Mexico, made the request in reaction to the pronouncement by officials of Total at its headquarters in Paris, France, to stop offshore gas flaring in Nigeria.
A statement signed by her Press Secretary and Deputy Director of Information,  Ben Bem Goong, said that the minister had earlier played host to the Mexican ambassador, Marco Blanco in her office in Abuja, promising to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Mexico.
She stated areas she wanted strengthened to include climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, pollution control and ozone layer depletion substances, among others.
She noted that her resolve to personally lead the delegation was informed by the significance of the 5th edition of the Assembly coming after the successful replenishment negotiations with over 30 countries who pledged over $4.25 billion to fund projects in member countries, in the next four years.
Mallam will be presenting Nigeria’s position to the 182-member Assembly on the review of the facilities operational structure as well as its general policies and programmes.  
Earlier in his address to the minister, the ambassador told her that his country was interested in expanding the frontiers of bilateral relations with Nigeria, maintaining that the environment sector offered a veritable platform for cooperation between the two countries.
Blanco noted that Mexico and Nigeria have similar demographic (population) and economic characteristics and environmental challenges which they can confront together for the benefit of their own people.