Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has asked the Federal Government to enact laws with stringent sanctions to discourage gas flaring, oil bunkering and other illegal exploration in the country. The governor said the call had become necessary as it would reduce job loss, and also curb environmental and health hazards arising from incessant gas being flared by oil merchants.
Okowa made the call yesterday when participants of Course 41 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, led by Major- General Felix Edafioghor visited him at the Government House in Asaba, the state capital.
He lamented that a visit to the yard or communities where gas was being flared would only make his point on the subject matter germane, saying: “if you go to where gas is flared, which is still very common, you will understand why we need to be more serious about taking decisive actions as to stop the practice. Ending gas flaring will be better for the people, since the gas flared has continued to destroy the environment, not only the natural habitat, but also their farmland, as well as pollute the air and cause high level of damage to human system.”
This was as Major-General Edafighor said they were in the state on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study tour, as part of the fulfillment of their training programme. Meanwhile, the governor noted that the laws must be implemented, not only through payment of fines which will make oil companies feel nonchalant, but that will force them to desist from the untoward activities. Read more