Saraki Tasks NLNG On Gas Flaring

President of the Senate
, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has advised the management and board of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), to work towards achieving a minimum  percentage  of gas flaring in the country, stating that it is by so doing that activities of the gas company would be appreciated by Nigerians.
Saraki also pledged the commitment of the 8th Senate and indeed the National Assembly to foster business-friendly laws in the country.
The Senate President gave the charge on Monday when he granted audience to the outgoing Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa, who came to introduce the in-coming Managing Director, Tony Attah to him.
According to a statement  signed by the Special Assistant to the Senate Predident, Chuks Okocha, Saraki, responding to the  Managing Director ’s remarks (during which he indicated  that the NLNG has succeeded  in reducing gas flaring in Nigeria from 60 per cent to 20 per cent,) emphasised  the need to improve on the much the company  had achieved in terms of gas flaring.
“There is need to do more. You have to work harder so that you can further reduce the current status of gas flaring in Nigeria,” Saraki said .
While pledging the support of the National Assembly in efforts to end gas flaring in the country, Saraki told the management of the  NLNG that the National Assembly would not relent in its efforts to ensure the enthronement of business-friendly incentives for economic development of the country.
He explained that it was in this regard that the Senate facilitated the review of the Railways Laws, inherited from the colonial masters over 50 years ago.
The Senate President explained that the review of the Railway Laws is central to the success of economic reforms in the country.
Saraki also  used the opportunity to call for the private sector participation in railway development in Nigeria, pointing out that,  “no government can fully fund railways development as it is central to economic reforms.”
Saraki also advised the management of the NLNG to float projects which would impact positively on the  lives of their  host community in Bonny. He made special reference  to good roads.
The Senate President advised the management of the NLNG to ensure that there is improvement in the use of domestic gas for cooking as it would drastically reduce the use of firewood for cooking in the country and consequently help to preserve the environment.
Earlier, the out-going Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa said that the management team was at the National Assembly to introduce Mr. Tony Attah who is billed to assume duties as the new Managing Director of the company on September 1.
He also thanked the Senate President who is the Chairman of the National Assembly for providing a fruitful and conducive atmosphere for the NLNG during his tenure as the chief executive of the gas company, while urging him to extend the same relationship to his successor, Tony Attah.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja