Nigeria to end gas flaring by 2020 – Ngige

gas flaring

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Thursday said Federal Government has developed a roadmap that would enable country to end gas flaring by 2020.

He said the government has also put in place a Sovereign National Green Bond to raise special funds from the capital market for green projects especially renewable energy and afforestation.

The projects, the minister said would help reduce emissions in line with national determined contributions.

Addressing the 106 session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Ngige said the government is committed to building on security, inclusive growth and sustainable development through what he described as African 2063 agenda.

He said: “Nigeria expresses her commitment to the Green Initiative as climate change poses the greatest threat to the world especially Africa. The adverse effects can be found everywhere in our ecosystem which have manifested in the difficulties associated with the generation of sustainable income, employment opportunities, eradication of poverty and the promotion of better livelihood form the citizenry.

“A manifestation of the adverse climatic condition in my country was recent outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis which resulted in the death of over 1,000 people.

“We therefore agree with the Director General that the mitigation of climate change is the most paramount element in shaping the present state and future of condition of work.

“Nigeria is a signatory to the Paris agreement since the 71st United Nations General Assembly and shall contribute to the implementation of the initiative. Indeed, combating climate change is one of the cardinal objectives of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in Nigeria.

“The administration`s commitment to fighting climate change is crystalised in the increasing and substantial budgetary allocations to this sector over the last two years. It is noteworthy that even before the Paris agreement of 2015, Nigeria has put in place various measures to tackle the challenges of climate change.”