Gas flaring and environmental issues in the Niger Delta, 1956-2007

Abstract

Gas flaring, which has assumed a worrisome dimension globally, is one of the environmental problems affecting the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It has caused untold socio-economic, environmental and psychological effects on the people and their communities. Combating the problem has proved Herculean, especially owing to the lackadaisical attitudes of both the federal government of Nigeria and the various oil companies whose activities have constituted the menace of oil flaring. This work, therefore, assesses the origin, impact and various responses to the problem of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region from historical and chronological perspectives. The work also examines how gas flaring has contributed to the depletion of the Ozone layer as well as its greenhouse effect and maintains that adequate measures must be put in place to address the problem vis- ` a-vis other crude oil-related environmental degradation in the region. It suggests possible remedies to the problem placing emphasis on multifaceted approaches.