Worsening gas flaring claims 23 lives in three Delta communities
In the worsened gas flaring in Ndokwa West/East, Obiaruku, and some part of Effurun in Delta State, has reportedly claimed the lives of twenty-three persons in the last six months in the areas.
Reports said the situation in Ndokwa West/East, Obiaruku and some part of Effurun community is worsened by the continued emitting carbonmonoxide, capable of killing unsuspecting residents within the areas.
But it was gathered that between July 2015 and June 2016, the total gas supply for that period stood at 363.19 billion SCF, for the domestic and export markets respectively across the country.
Expectedly, a breakdown of revenue from gas sales between January and February showed that NNPC earned N944.4 million from domestic sales in February, rising from N880.304 million received in January, while it realized 172.525 million (14.506 billion) from export in February, compared to 1135.89 million (#27.178billion) in January 2016.
The report further said that 219.92billion SCF gas was produced in February, out of which a total of 124.21 billion was commercialized, comprising 29.84 billion SCF and 94.37 billion SCF for the domestic and export market respectively. Investigation revealed that the victims allegedly died of “strange diseases” as a result of what they suffered in the emitting carbonmonoxide odour.
Stakeholders have projected 2030 deadline to end gas flaring globally because of its hazards, but agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that oil companies comply with the rules governing gas flaring as stated earlier, appeared to have failed.
In Ndokwa West for instance, residents of the areas have suffered untold hardship from various oil companied flaring gas.
An elderstatesman in Okpai community, Chief Ndidi Osakwe decried the nonchalant act of major oil companies in the area to comply with the rules of gas flaring, adding that over six persons in the area allegedly died of strange illness recently.
But a non-governmental organization (NGO) Koyenumm, Malah Foundation has faulted the idea of waiting till 2030 to end gas flaring in the country.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Ms. Faith Nwadishi who spoke to our reporter was of the thread of reasoning that going by the negative effects of gas flaring on the nation’s environment and human beings, Nigeria does not need to wait till 2030 to stop gas flaring.
she challenged the Delta State Government currently being rattled by has flaring to attach priority to the issue and marshal out ways of ending it in the state; possibly before the end of 2030 global deadline.
Apart from the deaths recovered by the negative impact of gas flaring in Delta State, several crops in its farmlands within worsened gas flaring areas, have died natural death, leaving owners of the farms in continued hunger and despair.
Noting that the states and Federal Governments have failed, Ms. Nwadishi, condemned their inability to address the issue which has continued to impact negatively not only on the nation’s economy but also on the lives of the people, especially those in the oil providing communities.
But in a swift reaction, the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. Mofe Pirah regretted the havoc of gas flaring as pathetic, particularly in Delta State, and called on the Federal Government to ensure an urgent stop.
Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
