A group of women from Ibeno and Esit Eket, two oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State, have demanded an end to gas flaring by the oil companies operating in their areas.
They made this declaration at a Town Hall meeting organized by Policy Alert and Global Green Grant Funds on Wednesday, where they shared their experiences of living with gas flaring for decades.
The women, led by Cecilia John Ikot, Essien Kokomma Eshiet, and Rhoda Peter, said gas flaring has negatively affected their health, environment and economy.
They listed some of the problems caused by gas flaring as air and water pollution, climate change, low crop yield, and reproductive health issues.
They also expressed their disappointment with the Nigerian government for failing to meet the previous deadlines to end gas flaring, and called for a revision of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
They said the Act has weakened the environmental regulation powers of agencies like NOSDRA and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
They urged the government to invest in a cleaner and greener future for their communities.
The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Uno Etim, who was represented by Emem Imo Ibokette, the Director of Mineral Resources, commended the women for their courage and solidarity.
She promised to work with them to address their concerns and end gas flaring in Ibeno and Esit Eket.
The Executive Director of Policy Alert, Mr. Tijah-Bolton Akpan, lamented that gas flaring is still a reality in 2023.
He called it an illegal and wasteful practice that deprives the country of valuable economic resources.
He also disclosed the “Wethinwomengain” project by Policy Alert, which aims to empower women in oil and gas communities to fight against gas flaring.
