Environment Minister commends total commitment to gas flaring reduction

PARIS (Environment Ministry Report) – The Minister of Environment, Laurentia Laraba Mallam has commended the French Oil and Gas giant – ‘ Total’ over its determination to become the first multinational oil corporation to stop offshore gas flaring in Nigeria.
 
Laurentia Laraba Mallam represented by the Deputy Director of Information in the Ministry, Ben Bem Goong noted that the efforts of ‘Total’ in the initiative are worthy of commendation, adding that other oil companies operating in Nigeria should follow the good example and environmentally-friendly approach of Total.
 
While acknowledging the devastating consequences of gas flaring on the environment, including global warming and ozone depletion, Mallam asked oil companies operating in the country to see gas flaring as a challenge to the entire world and not just a Nigeria problem, indicating that the ecosystem is indivisible.
 
Her comments, the Minister noted was in reaction to a pronouncement by some high level officials of Total at its headquarters in Paris, France when the corporation hosted some journalists. She added that she will be presenting Nigeria’s position to the 182 – member Assembly on the review of the facilities operational structure as well as its general policies and programmes.
 
Prior to the incident, the Minister hosted the Mexican Ambassador in her office in Abuja, where she briefed her about the opportunity offered by the Assembly towards strengthening the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Mexico, particularly on environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, pollution control and ozone layer depletion substances, among others.
 
She further observed that her resolve to personally lead the delegation was informed by the significance which the 5th edition of the Assembly which is coming ahead poses, after successful replenishment negotiations with over 30 countries have pledged over $4.25 billion to fund projects in member countries with global environmental importance in the next four years.
 
According to the Minister, the meeting will evaluate and review general policies as well as the facilities’ operational structure. She also revealed that the GEF is currently the most important source of finance for projects aimed at improving the global environment.
 
Earlier in his address, the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Marco Blanco told the Minister that his country is interested in expanding the frontiers of bilateral relations with Nigeria, maintaining that the environment sector offers a veritable platform for cooperation between the two countries.
 
Citing some statistics on Mexico, Marco Blanco noted that the Spanish speaking country has an estimated population of 120 million people with 42 Free Trade Agreements, adding that Mexico ranks as the 10th most visited country globally. He further said that having similar demographic and economic characteristics, Mexico and Nigeria have related environmental challenges which they can unnerve together for the benefit of their peoples.
 
In another development, the Deputy Director of Information in the Ministry, Laurentia Laraba Mallam, who represented the Minister announced that the Ministry is expected back in the country on Sunday 1st June, 2014 and will address a Press Conference to flag-off the beginning of activities for the 2014 World Environment Day celebration.