PPDF’s New Report Highlights Cubits of Gas Flared in Akwa Ibom State
…Ibeno, Esit Eket Emerge Most Impacted
By Ekemini Simon
A new report published by Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF) has brought to the fore the amount of gas flared in oil and gas rich Akwa Ibom State within the last 10 years.
Peace Point Development Foundation is a nongovernmental organisation working to address needs of vulnerable communities in the Niger Delta region.
In its report tagged ” Death By Installment: A Report on the Impact of Gas Flaring in Akwa Ibom State-Nigeria” presented to the public at Stakeholders’ Engagement on Health Impact of Gas Flaring on Wednesday, January 25, 2022 in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, the organisation reported that the amount gas flared in Akwa Ibom State between March 2012 and December 2022 especially at area where people reside is 47.2 million Thousand Standard Cubic Feet (MSCF) of gas.
The report which credited its data to the Nigerian Gas Flare Tracker of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) noted that the gas flared in Akwa Ibom State is valued at $165.2 million USD and has the power generation potential of 4.7 gigawatt hours. The report stated that payable penalties on the flare gas amounted to $94.4 million USD.
The report pointed out that within the State, Ibeno LGA is the most impacted with 45.3 million MSCF gas flared while Esit Eket follows with 1.9 million MSCF within the period.
Giving a brief of the report, the Coordinator of Peace Point Development Foundation and Author of the report, Comrade Umo Isua-Ikoh said the report is a publication on the findings that tests the claims by available data on the quantum of gas flared in Akwa Ibom State and the actual impact in the communities.
He said the findings from the field revealed that many from the communities where gas is flared are deeply affected by health problems associated with gas flaring.
Isua-Ikoh said the essence of the report is to fortify the communities with relevant data that will help them engage with relevant stakeholders on how to urgently reduce gas flaring in the area not only to fight climate change but restore their debilitating health condition.
Earlier while presenting the report, one of the researchers, Ekemini Simon noted that the report furnishes the communities with data from the Nigerian Gas Flare Tracker of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) with field experience and reports from medical facilities in the affected area.
He added ” This report has presented something unique, current data of gas flared in Akwa Ibom State for the span of the last 10 years. It has also gone a great length to show the most impacted areas and the quantum of gas flared in these areas.
” This report has also juxtaposed the data with health experiences from community members and also reports from its health centres and comparison made with areas where the gas is less flared. This is a perfect tool for engagement to address the issues of gas flaring in the Akwa Ibom State.”
In his remarks, the representative of the Village Head of Inuaeyet Community in Ibeno, Chief John Ufok-ikoabasi thanked the Peace Point Development Foundation for the report presented to them. He noted that the report is a true reflection of the years of health crisis they have experienced due to the impact of gas flaring.
While assuring that the community will use the data provided to engage relevant stakeholders for action to be taken on the gas flared in the area, the Village Head called on PPDF to continue in providing them needed ideas and materials needed to combat extractivism.
Also speaking, the Director of Climate Change, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals, Mrs Ini Umoh commended PPDF for the quality of research put into the report. She said if properly utilised, the report will be a veritable tool for result-oriented engagement.
On his part, the representative of Zonal Coordinator of NOSDRA, Melvis Odobo commended PPDF over the environmental consciousness it has raised in the people to resist pollution in their environment.
He charged the communities not to allow their fate into the hands of the multinationals but to be on the lookout against misnomer in the environment and report to the appropriate quarters.
He added ” We have a role to play in keeping our environment safe. See something, report something.”