By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Representatives of communities affected by oil and gas extraction in the Niger Delta have called on government and fossil fuel companies to take urgent action towards reduction of petroleum-related methane emissions in the region.
The call was made at a workshop organized by Policy Alert in collaboration with the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) and We The People in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director of Policy Alert, during his welcome remark, underscored the critical relevance of methane emissions discussions for fenceline communities.
“Nigeria is a significant methane emitter, particularly within its oil and gas sector, with emissions stemming from gas flaring, venting, and fugitive emissions.
“In 2022, the country ranked seventh in the list of top gas flaring countries and, as of 2020, methane emissions from the country’s oil and gas sector accounted for 41 percent of Nigeria’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
“This constitutes a major climate threat and a significant risk to fenceline communities, who have to cope with the degraded ecosystem, health complications, and compromised livelihoods.
“Empowering these communities with knowledge is a vital step toward demanding accountability and encouraging sustainable solutions.”
Also in a remark, Ken Henshaw, Executive Director of We The People, stated that, methane emissions severely impact human health, causing respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, and ground-level ozone formation, with disproportionate effects on children, women, and the elderly in these communities.
“The loss of viable farmland and destruction of fishing grounds due to methane emissions also cause significant economic hardship for community people.
“This workshop, therefore, provided a space for them to express their concerns about the lack of accountability by government and companies on existing commitments to monitor and reduce methane emissions, as well as the limited enforcement of existing environmental regulations.”
Henshaw said.
Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Program Officer at NRGI, stressed the urgent need to hold government and oil companies to consistent global standards.
According to her, “Nigeria’s oil and gas sector must align with the same environmental benchmarks imposed on developed nations. We cannot accept double standards that perpetuate harm to local populations.
*Robust enforcement of commitments, such as the 2030 gas flaring phase-out, is essential to ensure tangible outcomes for affected communities.”
Participants noted that increased community participation in environmental monitoring and decision-making processes is essential for Nigeria to make any real progress in its methane reduction targets.
They also recommended ramping up of investments in alternative energy sources, such as solar, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and stricter regulations on gas flaring, including enforcement of flare penalties and utilisation of collected fines for environmental remediation of affected communities as provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
