Gas Flaring in Rivers State Harms Agriculture, Residents

In Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, gas flaring from an oil facility operated by Heirs Energies has adversely affected local agriculture, as reported by 65-year-old Rose Ordu. She noted that her crops, particularly vegetables, suffer from the heat of the flare, leading to poor growth despite the use of fertilizer.

The community has been without electricity for over three years, prompting Ordu to question why the gas is not converted to electricity. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), signed into law in August 2021, mandated oil companies to submit Flare Elimination and Monetisation Plans within 12 months to end flaring.

In 2023, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) strengthened these obligations, requiring operators to maintain methane emissions inventories and implement Leak Detection and Repair programs. However, a PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed that enforcement of these regulations is weak, allowing gas flaring and methane emissions to persist in oil-producing communities without significant environmental protection.