Reps warn against continuous gas flaring in Niger Delta

Posted by admin Headlines, House, Legislature, Niger Delta Tuesday, November 1st, 2016

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, warned oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region against continuous flaring of gas estimated at over $5 billion yearly from over 257 flow stations, saying it had subjected the lives of residents in the area to serious health hazards. The Obinna Chidoka-led House Committee on Environment and Habitat, gave the warning during an interactive session with representatives of oil and gas companies, selected civil society organisations and host communities, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja. Chidoka said: “It is also established that 950 total recorded incidences of oil spill occurred in 2015 with a volume of 47,775.49 barrels impacting 595,800 square meters. Out of this, only 27.78% were cleaned. In 2016, so far 499 spills have been recorded, the record stated that 28,543.69 barrels were spilled covering 595,800 square meters areas of impact.

Further available statistics in 2015 shows that Addax Oil company recorded two incidents of spills, AP Moller 2, Chevron 14, Conoil Producing Ltd 2, Mobil Producing Nigeria 63, Agip 71, NPDC 10, SEPLAT 8, Shell Petroleum Development Company 28, among others. Subsequently in 2016, a total incidence of spill indicates that Agip has 43 recorded spills so far, Mobil Producing Nigeria 26, Shell Petroleum Development Company 18, Chevron 8 and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company 9.” While expressing displeasure over the spate of flaring of associated gas, oil spillages and discharge of untreated effluents into the canals, rivers and seas, he lamented the plight of millions of Nigerians living in various host communities who were impacted negatively by the activities of oil companies involved in oil exploration.

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