Accountability Lab Nigeria Launches Policy Brief Addressing Issues of Gas Flaring in Nigeria
By Ekemini Simon
Accountability Lab Nigeria has launched a new policy brief that examines the issue of gas flaring in Nigeria and provides actionable recommendations to strengthen regulatory enforcement, improve inter-agency coordination, and reduce the social, environmental, and economic costs of flaring.
The Policy Brief titled “Addressing Gas Flaring in Nigeria: Strengthening Regulation and Accountability”, was launched last week and accessible on Accountability Lab Nigeria’s website.
In a release signed by the Storytelling Development Officer of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Blessing Anolaba, the policy brief examines the roles of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), both created under the PIA.
The release noted that the Policy Brief highlights key challenges such as weak penalties for gas flaring, poor enforcement, lack of real-time monitoring tools, and overlapping responsibilities between the two agencies.
The release said these issues have made it difficult to effectively tackle gas flaring.The brief also pointed out gaps in regulation and offers practical recommendations to help Nigeria improve its approach, align with global best practices, protect the environment, and recover lost economic value.
It said the Policy Brief draws on examples from other countries and provides a roadmap for stronger gas flare governance through clearer mandates, improved data systems, and stronger penalties.
Accountability Lab noted that effective governance in Nigeria remains a key factor that ensures the successful implementation of existing laws and regulations in the oil and gas sector.
They said that in line with the recommendations outlined in the policy brief, they urge the government and regulatory agencies to increase gas flare penalties explaining that the current fine of $2 per 1,000 scf is too low to discourage flaring.
They called on the National Assembly to urgently amend Section 104 of the PIA to raise penalties and make them more effective; add health compensation to the PIA explaining that the PIA mentions environmental cleanup but ignores the health impacts of gas flaring.
They recommended that the law should be amended to compensate people suffering from related illnesses like cancer, miscarriages, and respiratory diseases; use satellite tech to accurately and independently track flaring by Nigeria adopting satellite monitoring systems, just as other countries in the global gas flaring reduction projects have done.
The release added “Publish flare penalty payments: A public dashboard should be created to show how much gas was flared, what fines were paid, by which companies, and who was exempted, making the process transparent.
“Strengthen coordination between regulators: NUPRC and NMDPRA should form a joint task force to work together on reducing flaring across the entire gas value chain, from production to usage;
Speed up gas utilization projects: The government should fast-track the use of flared gas for power, industry, and export. Gas processing plants should also be built in high-flaring areas for local use.
“Engage communities and provide remedies: Communities affected by gas flaring should be involved in monitoring and have access to compensation and justice for the harm caused.”
Accountability Lab Nigeria noted that as part of its ongoing commitment to making natural resource governance work for Niger-delta communities, they invite policymakers, civil society organizations, the media, and the public to engage with the findings and collaborate on practical solutions to end gas flaring in Nigeria.