A bill aimed at banning gas flaring in Nigeria and guaranteeing compliance with international environmental standards is set for a second reading in the House of Representatives next week.
Sponsored by Babajimi Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, the bill seeks to promote the utilisation of natural gas for economic growth and the reduction of carbon emissions.
The proposed “Anti-Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Enforcement) Act, 2024” aims to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas, except in limited cases. It also focuses on ensuring Nigeria’s compliance with global climate change commitments, including the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership.
In 2022, the Nigerian government launched the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme to achieve zero routine flaring within a decade, with a national flare-out target by 2025. The bill will provide a legal framework for enforcement, monitoring, and penalties to ensure compliance by gas operators in the country.
