2009

Deadline for gas flaring must be kept
12 January 2009

Pressure is on the Nigerian government to ensure that oil companies - like Shell - stop flaring gas.

The extraction of crude oil can often result in a remaining gas that must be separated.

Oil companies in Nigeria do this the cheapest way - by burning it.

Nigeria is one of the world's biggest gas flarers - emitting as much greenhouse gases as 18 million cars.

Gas flaring costs Nigeria US $2.5 billion annually, while an estimated more than two thirds of the population lives in poverty.

Gas flaring is extremely damaging to the environment and has severe consequences on health:

Acid rain
Surrounding water is acidified, reducing farm yields by damaging crops and vegetation.
Harms human health
Increases the risk of premature death, respiratory illnesses, cancer and blindness.

The gas could also be a vital source of energy for surrounding countries.

Gas flaring is also a major factor in the tensions and conflicts that are raging in the Niger Delta region.

Since 1969 the Nigerian Government has failed to enforce their laws ordering oil companies to stop flaring gas.

The Federal High Court of Nigeria ordered gas flaring to stop, concluding that it:

Violates the fundamental right to life and dignity.

Federal High Court of Nigeria, 2005

Due to international pressure and campaigning, a final deadline of 31 December 2008 was set by the President himself.

But there is growing international concern that this deadline has once again been ignored.