Gas flaring to end by 2008, says Daukoru
By Taiwo Hassan
THE Federal Government has announced its determination to eliminate gas flaring by the year 2008, thus mitigating the impact of petroleum operations on the environment. The aim is to provide sustainable development in the petroleum industry especially as it affects the lives of the citizens in the oil-producing area.
Disclosing this was Dr. Edmund Daukoru, the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum and Energy at the opening ceremony of 2004 Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Biennial International Conference on Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.
Daukoru, who was represented by Amunna Hawan-Ali, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said the government hopes to achieve this set objective through the introduction of incentives to encourage companies to embark on gas commercialisation.
He noted that within five years, the government would have been able to reduce the level of gas flaring in the country to 30 per cent.
The presidential adviser added that due to the remarkable progress recorded, there now exist many gas utilisation projects, which are being carried out simultaneously.
He listed among others, the NLNG Trains 4 & 5, Escravos Gas Project 2 (EGP-2), the East Area Gas Gathering Project (EAGP), the Offshore Gas Gathering Project (OGGP) and the West African Gas Project (WAGP).
Daukoru said that apart from the current administration's effort towards improving the standard of living of people in the Niger Delta, the government has also set up a high-level committee to examine the condition in the Niger Delta, especially on the impact of oil and gas operations.
The committee, according to him, is working in collaboration with other stakeholders in minimising the impact of petroleum activities on the environment.
In his address, the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Mac Ofurhie, represented by Mr. Billy Agha, deputy director, HSE of the agency, stated that since there were differences in values and perceptions of people, which tend to make things difficult and complex, everybody needs to come to a realistic balance and ultimately yield optimal results.
