ADVOKC Foundation has decried failure of House of Representatives to meet its legislative timeline for passage of the Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill, first sponsored by Jimi Benson and read for the first time on October 17, 2024.
A statement by Habib Sheidu, project director, said the foundation learnt of this “through our PromiseTracker.ng, which monitors and tracks promises made by elected officials.
“Almost a year later, this piece of legislation has stalled. The delay represents not just a broken legislative promise, but also a dangerous neglect of an environmental, economic and public health crisis.
“Nigeria is the seventh largest gas-flaring country in the world, with second-highest global increase in flaring, according to World Bank. Everyday the bill is trapped in legislative limbo, communities in Niger Delta live with toxic air, poisoned water, degraded farmland and health consequences.
“We call on the House to move the bill to second reading and fast-track its consideration; set and commit to a passage before end of the legislative session; ensure enforcement to end routine gas flaring and impose penalties on violators…’’
Anything less will be a betrayal of the trust placed in the National Assembly by Nigerians and a signal that our lawmakers are willing to compromise public health, environmental justice and economic progress for legislative complacency.’’
