News

Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill Passes 2nd Reading

Published

9 years ago

March 10, 2017

The Bill for an Act to Prohibit Flaring of Natural Gas in Nigeria and Other Matters, 2017, passed second reading at the Senate yesterday.
The bill is sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Albert Bassey.
Leading debate on the bill, Bassey said that flaring natural gas was one of the most dangerous environmental and energy waste practices in the country’s petroleum industry.
According to him, gas flaring has adverse effect on the environment and human health.
The lawmaker said that the practice had caused economic losses to the nation, depriving it of tax revenue and trade opportunities and clean and cheaper energy source for citizens.
“Available data from the NNPC has shown that Nigeria lost billions in revenue last year.
“The volume of gas flared is sufficient to generate reasonable quantity of megawatts of electricity. This is not to say the unquantifiable social, health and environmental impacts.
“It appears that the euphoria of oil discovery and commencement of production in 1958 blinded Nigerians as there was no provision to handle gas in association with oil.
“Government neither stipulated any law nor guidance during the nascent period of our oil production history.
“All efforts to stop the flaring of natural gas has not been effective and Nigerians have remained the victims of lack of Gas Flaring Prohibition Act,’’ he said.
Bassey said that when passed, the bill would help to provide a strong legal framework for effective monitoring and regulation of gas activities in line with current realities.
He said that the bill would equally address the inadequacies of the 1979 Act by stipulating adequate penalties.
He explained that the bill sought to ensure achievement of the nation, play out target of Jan 1, 2030 in line with the United Nations Charter.
Contributing, Chairman of Committee on Finance, Sen. John Enoh, said it was disheartening that Nigeria was still battling with stopping gas flaring.
He said that several deadlines had been set to end it but that nothing meaningful had been achieved.
He called for the passage of the bill in order to put strict measures in place to tackle the problems posed by the flaring of gas.
“We remain an amazing country. Since 1958 we are still talking about what to do about gas flaring. So, we have to put in measures to make it expensive to flare gas,’’ Enoh said.
Other lawmakers supported the bill in view of the hazards gas flaring posed to the economy.
In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided at the plenary, said that Nigeria was not in short supply of laws and regulations.
Ekweremadu said that the problem was poor enforcement of the laws and regulations.
“In addition to making these laws, I believe that we should also wake up to our responsibility regarding the issue of oversight.
“This is because that is the only the way we can get the enforcement agencies and regulatory agencies to be alive to their responsibilities.
“If we all do our work from the National Assembly to the enforcement and regulatory agencies, I am sure we will be able to get some of these things right,’’ he said.
Passage of the bill for third reading was made through a unanimous vote by the lawmakers.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, the National Executive Council of Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Mr Ede Dafinone, yesterday called on the Federal Government to put an end to gas flaring in the country.
Dafinone told newsmen in Lagos that sustained gas flaring in the Niger Delta Area had caused untold damage to the environment.
According to him, the affected communities are always illuminated by gas flares, even at night.
“l do not think that there is any other country in the world where gas flaring is done on such a large scale.
“Sadly enough, gas is a valuable resource that is being wasted.
“It will be beneficial to us as a nation to channel this useful `waste’ (gas) into a business where the gas, being flared, can be accumulated for our domestic use or export.
“This is important, especially in Nigeria where we don’t have sufficient energy,’’ he added.
Dafinone bemoaned a situation in which deadlines for the cessation of gas flaring had continuously been shifted.
He said that anywhere a sanctions regime favoured less stringent penalties and fines, offending individuals, companies and organisations would always prefer to pay fines.
He, however, conceded that he was not aware of the nature of the fines imposed on oil companies for gas flaring or if they were even paying any fine at all.
“Since gas flaring still exists, it means it is cheaper or more convenient for the oil companies to pay fines for flaring gas than stopping it.
“The penalty or fine to stop people from committing an act is always graduated; at the initial stage, it is small and put on record as a warning.
“The fine is increased yearly but after five, 10 and 15 years, the penalty is properly set. In that case, it would be in your benefit not to flare natural gas again.
“If that is the case, l am sure that the oil companies would have stopped gas flaring a long time ago,’’ he said.
Dafinone, however, said that it was expedient to have useful alternatives to gas flaring, adding that the nation and affected communities would be better off if gas flaring was totally stopped.

News

Association Seeks Government Intervention in Desilting of Canal

Published

9 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.

The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.

The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.

The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.

According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.

“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.

“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.

“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.

The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).

They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.

“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.

“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”

The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area.

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It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.

According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .

“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.

“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.

“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:

” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.

“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.

“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.

By: John Bibor

News

Rivers Judges Begin Christmas Vacation Dec 23

Published

11 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.

The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.

According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.

The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.

By: Akujobi Amadi

News

Govt-Approved Land Authority Emerges In Alesa To End Land Grabbing

Published

11 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

Land grabbing and crisis of fraudulent land sales may soon be a thing of the past as Rivers State begins experimenting the community land development committee system.

The experiment saw the light of day in Alesa Eleme where the Alesa Land Development Commiittee (ALDEC) was inaugurated last Friday by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor J.D. Mkpe.

The Alesa community where the Port Harcourt refineries are situated has implemented the recommended formula with the strong support of the paramount ruler said to be a respected leader known for his commitment to peace, education, community development, and support for law enforcement, often advocating for better infrastructure and governance in his area.

Inaugurating the committee headed by a businessman, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, the paramount ruler recounted the contributions of his community to economic development of the nation.

“Alesa is one of the 10 communities in Eleme and we are the first community in Nigeria that has refineries. The Port Harcourt Refinery (1&2) that has a lot of pipelines surrounding us. We have done a lot of contribution in making sure Nigeria stands great among all nations.

“We are made up of about 13 communities due to expansion. When I say 13 communities, Alesa is a community that has embraced other people. You can see here some people from the northern community. All the communities are here. That is why Alesa is known as a cosmopolitan community.

“Because we have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.

“And that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.

“We seize this opportunity to warn thus: if you sell any land to anybody without this committee’s knowledge or consent, you are doing it at your own risk. If you are buying any land from Alesa, this committee will know. By this, we will track those selling the land to you so that you don’t buy land from a wrong person. We also do not want you to buy land from an under-aged persons (children) who will sell land and run away.

According to him, we are also partnering with the Rivers State government on the project because those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).

“We are duly registered and we hereby show the world our certificate of registration and recognition. This is not a shabby arrangement. We have the registration and the authority which we have here as a body approved by the government to go into this development. This also is the registered constitution of the body.

“We will also make sure that whatever land you buy here, will be registered with the government of Rivers State through the office of the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Land and that of Housing. This is to permanently stop land grabbers,

“We want you to buy and develop, not to keep for decades. Failure to develop your land after five years, the land will be forfeited to the government of Rivers State as a ‘waste land’ that you do not want to develop. So we are here not to maltreat any individual, we are not here to punish anyone, but to make sure your money is safe.

“We are optimistic that this strategy will work for us all. One of the greatest persons who has been able to identify with us is the Mayor of Housing. He has been friendly to us and to our aspirations.

Speaking immediately after the inauguration, the chairman of Alesa Land Development Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, vowed never to betray his community.

“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Alesa Council of Chiefs, the women, the youths, for nominating me to be the chairman of the Alesa Land Development Committee. I want to say this afternoon that I, Emmanuel Olaka, a bonafide son of Alaka, from Uwueke community, I will never disrespect this community. I will always do what is right, so that my God will always stand by me. I will not be biased.”

Also speaking, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is behind the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud.

He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.

He urged other communities in Rivers State and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to put an end to land grabbing.