The Senate is planning stiffer penalties for individuals and corporate entities engaged gas flaring with effect from January 1st, 2021.
The Gas Flaring Prohibition and Punishment Bill, 2020, which was sponsored by Albert Bassey Akpan, scaled second reading during plenary yesterday.
Akpan, in his lead debate, recalled that though the piece of legislation was passed by the eighth Senate in 2018, it, however, failed to receive concurrence of the House of Representatives due to time constraints.
He added that the bill’s introduction by the ninth assembly, which promises guaranteed rapid infrastructure development of the oil and gas sector, would enhance revenue accruable to government and ensure environmental improvement for the people of the Niger-Delta.
The sponsor observed that gas flaring affects the environment and human health, resulting in economic loss, deprivation of government of associated tax revenues and trade opportunities.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, referred the piece of legislation to the Senate Committee on Gas for further legislative work.
