Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, disclosed plans for joint efforts between the ministry and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to regularly review the operational plans of international and local oil companies. The objective is to ensure alignment with the target of ending routine gas flaring by 2030.
Salako made this announcement during the national stakeholders engagement meeting on methane mitigation and reduction in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing methane emissions, Salako emphasized the detrimental impact of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, on both current and future generations and climate protection objectives.
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He underscored the significance of reducing methane emissions, particularly in the oil and gas sector, to bolster climate action and unlock benefits for public health, food security, and economic development.
Salako outlined practical steps being taken to tackle methane emissions in Nigeria, including the development of methane guidelines and the initiation of periodic reviews of oil companies’ plans.
He also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to methane reduction projects as part of the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
The minister expressed confidence that the national stakeholders engagement event would provide a platform to discuss the complexities of methane mitigation and reduction in the oil and gas industry. He emphasized the importance of rigorous research and collaborative efforts to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for effective national actions.
Furthermore, Salako highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action in alignment with multilateral environmental agreements.
Mahmud Kambari, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, stressed the necessity of addressing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, emphasizing the importance of collective expertise, innovation, and resources to drive sustainable development and enhance energy security.
Dr. Olumide Abimbola, Executive Director of the Africa Policy Research Institute, emphasized the urgent need to tackle methane emissions’ impacts on climate and the environment. He underscored the importance of collaborative projects, such as methane mitigation and reduction initiatives, to align with Nigeria’s climate action commitments and unlock co-benefits for sustainable development.
Abimbola noted the significance of the national stakeholders engagement event as a milestone in collective efforts to address methane emissions, providing a platform for stakeholders to share insights and chart a unified course towards sustainable methane mitigation and reduction in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Through constructive dialogue and collaboration, the aim is to identify challenges, explore opportunities, and pave the way for effective and sustained action.
