House Advances Anti-Gas Flaring Bill to Combat Environmental, Economic Impacts

The House of Representatives has passed the Anti-Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Enforcement) bill, which seeks to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas, except in strictly regulated circumstances, for second reading.

The Bill sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson also seeks to encourage the utilisation of gas resources to foster economic growth and energy generation.

Leading the debate on the bill at the plenary on Thursday, Benson said the bill also provides a robust framework for enforcement, monitoring, and the imposition of penalties to ensure compliance.

The lawmaker noted that the proposed law aims to mitigate the environmental, health, and economic impacts of gas flaring, aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas operations with international climate change commitments.

Benson explained that gas flaring had plagued Nigeria for decades, leading to severe environmental degradation, public health crises, and economic losses.

Environmentally, he argued that it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and acid rain, exacerbating climate challenges.

The lawmaker pointed out that public health impacts are equally dire, as pollutants from gas flaring cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly among residents of communities close to flaring sites.

He added that  flaring results in the waste of a valuable resource that could otherwise be harnessed for energy generation or exported to generate revenue, noting that the bill was designed to address these issues while bringing Nigeria in line with global standards such as the Paris Agreement on climate change.

He stressed that the bill provides for a comprehensive prohibition of gas flaring except in emergencies or when explicitly authorised by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The lawmaker said operators are required to submit and implement Gas Utilisation Plans, detailing how gas that would otherwise be flared will be captured, processed, or commercialised.

He said:  “Offenders who violate these provisions face stringent penalties, including fines of $5 per 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas flared and potential suspension of operations for repeat violations.

“Furthermore, the bill ensures that communities affected by gas flaring are entitled to compensation and environmental restoration, creating a mechanism for redress.

“Transparency and accountability are integral to the enforcement framework of this bill. Operators must submit regular reports on gas flaring incidents, which will be audited and made publicly available by the NUPRC.

“This approach ensures public oversight and stakeholder engagement, fostering trust and compliance.”

Benson said the bill is expected to yield significant benefits, adding that environmentally, it would reduce carbon emissions, thereby contributing to Nigeria’s climate targets and promoting sustainability.

He noted that economically, it would unlock the potential of natural gas as an energy resource, enhancing electricity generation, supporting industrialisation, and creating jobs.

Benson further explained that the implementation of the bill would be overseen by the NUPRC, which would monitor compliance through regular audits, enforce penalties, and facilitate gas utilisation projects in collaboration with operators and development partners.

He added that the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies would also play a supporting role, particularly in monitoring the environmental impact and ensuring remediation where necessary.

Adedayo Akinwale

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