Environmental Group Calls For Action On Gas Flaring, Divestment in N’Delta
2 years ago 2 min read
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The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has called for urgent action on several environmental issues affecting Nigeria, including gas flaring, divestment, and solid minerals extraction.
At its inaugural retreat held in Benin City, EDEN’s Board of Trustees, management, and staff discussed the progress of the organization’s work, especially its relevance in the environment and climate space in Nigeria and globally.
In a statement, Chima Williams, Chair of the Board of EDEN, emphasized the need for urgent action to address these environmental issues, saying “Unless this is done, the communities will soon start revolting because their right to life and sustainable environment are being violated.”
One of the key issues addressed was the proposed ban on gas flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. The organization commended the efforts of Hon. Babajimi Benson in pushing through the Anti-Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Enforcement) bill, which seeks to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas, except in strictly regulated circumstances.
The group also expressed concern over the speed with which oil multinationals are divesting from their on-shore operations in the Niger Delta, without taking full responsibility for the environmental damage caused by their operations.
The organization called for a halt to the divestments until the companies take responsibility for their toxic legacy of pollution.
Furthermore, they raised alarm over the spate of mine collapses across the country and deaths associated with solid minerals extraction.
The organization called for a uniform approach to addressing the issue of illegal mining and suggested that the Mining Marshals established by the federal government work with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and community monitors to ensure that mining operators are operating within accepted standards.
EDEN also proposed that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Act be amended to accommodate solid minerals under its umbrella and that host communities should be entitled to a minimum of 10 per cent of all accrued funds from mining operations.
The organization called on the federal government to take seriously its oversight functions to check the illegalities in the mining sector and to fish out the masterminds of the illegal mines.
