REFLECTING ON A SUCCESSFUL METHANE ABATEMENT PROJECT, STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Reflecting on a
successful methane abatement project, the Environmental Centre for Oil Spills
and Gas Flaring (ECOSGF) convened partners and stakeholders to a one-day close
out meeting on methane abatement in Nigeria, with special focus on
anthropogenic sources.
The close-out event which
held in Port Harcourt, on January 24, 2025, marked the end of a one-year
initiative aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders on the adverse effects
of methane and the economic side of it.
In his opening remarks
Rev. Fr. Edward Obi, the National Coordinator of ECOSGF, who joined the meeting
virtually, enjoined participants to articulate the various concerns of
experiences that were garnered during the field work; and to also pursue it in
an organized and systematic way, so that resources for a possible next lap of
the programme will be developed.
He however warned that
the work will be more difficult henceforth owing to the current global
situation which has changed with the swearing in of President Donald Trump.
He regretted that
President Donald Trump in less than a week in office has demonstrated that he
has little or no concern for environmental issues.
“Donald Trump has signed
an executive order to roll back all the regulations that the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies like that had in place for the
energy sector, the oil and gas sector, particularly for the agricultural sector
and waste management sector. Because he believes that it makes business sense
to scale-down the regulations.
“However, our approach
has always been that government should give the regulations that will protect
the people and also enhance the industry. But what we are seeing is right at
the global level, there is less emphasis on regulation,” he stated.
He therefore urged
stakeholders to recalibrate their approach and efforts in the methane abatement
and other environmental movements, so that people will not get away with doing
things that negatively affect the environment.
“As a coalition of
individuals, we must reimagine our stance and possible interventions in the
broad environmental space that we have found ourselves today,” he added.
On his part, the
Executive Director of AfriTAL, Dr. Louis Ogbeifun while presenting the project
review noted that there was no much data when the project started, but
currently, they have gathered data, and hope it will help other researchers
premise on what has been done.
He further emphasized
that the progress made inline with the set objectives of the project was made
possible with the support from TrustAfrica.
Commending the journey of
the project so far, Dr Salome Douglas of the Rivers State University, thanked
the organizers of the programme, and encouraged participants to make
intentional efforts in sustaining the environment. She states that the Rivers
State University is interested in researches that borders on environmental
sustainability.
In the same vein, Dr Tony
Odok of the University of Calabar stated that his University is fully in
support of any effort made by private of public organizations to protecting the
environment.
“Although we are limited
as most of our activities are done within the university, but we are open to
collaborate with Civil Society Organizations to ensuring citizens are
enlightened on environmental sustainability,” he stressed.
In the close out meeting,
impacted communities lent their voices, to champion the project. Veronica
Kisugu Eno of Boki community in Cross River State said she is happy with the
milestone achieved.
She noted that after the
methane enlightened programme in her community, they have been making efforts
to abate methane emissions from human sources.
For Dr. Mfon Utim of
Healthy Life Development Initiative (HELDi), the close out meeting is an
opportunity and opening to continue the discussions on methane abatement,
instead of closing it.
“I am one of the
beneficiaries of this project, and it has not only impacted me personally, but
also my organization HELDi, and our target audiences, which are students and
community women.
“We have done
sensitization at the community level, and also sensitized students during the
World Environmental Day, 2024 on methane abatement.
“We have also put out
articles on methane abatement, one of which is titled, ‘Urgent call for action:
curbing methane emission for a cleaner and safer environment.
“We are empowered and
equipped with the tools to share solution with the public,” she said.
Giving his closing
thoughts, the South-South Zonal Director of the National Environmental
Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nosa Aigbedion, Thanked
all the various stakeholders for their contributions and dedication to the
cause, while encouraging that the ongoing dialogue and action should be
sustained, even after the wrap up of the second phase of the project.
Aigbedion who was
represented by Victor Odiba, lauded the successes of the project, and however,
acknowledged some barriers encountered during the project implementation, such
as funding, technology gaps, regulatory issues, and the poor data saving culture
in Nigeria.
He therefore recommended
that there should be continued collaboration among stakeholders to build on the
progress made and address remaining challenges.
He also called for the
review of certain existing legislations, like the National Environmental
(Coastal and Marine Area protection) Regulations, that could support methane
reduction efforts moving forward,
“Introduction of Methane
Abatement concept in our Educational curriculum at all levels of education.
Training of relevant stakeholders such as agricultural extension workers, for
capacity building.”
He underscored the need
for local communities to take an active role in methane abatement initiatives
through education and advocacy, while emphasizing the importance of a
sustainable monitoring and reporting mechanism to track progress and adapt to
new strategies as necessary.
He concluded by stating
that, “While we think of global perspectives around methane abatement efforts,
let us collectively be committed to local actions we can take daily to reducing
methane emissions and fostering a sustainable future for Nigeria”.
Ends/
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