Saraki Urges NLNG To End Gas Flaring In Nigeria

Posted by African Examiner Business News, Featured, Latest Headlines, Maritime, News Tuesday, July 26th, 2016

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has advised the management and board of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), to work towards ending the ‎ current 20 percent of gas being flared in the country, affirming if this is achieved, the activities of the gas company would be appreciated by Nigerians.

He also pledged the determination of the 8th Senate and the National Assembly (NASS) as a whole, to foster business friendly laws in the country.

The Senate President gave the‎ advice on Monday when he granted audience to the outgoing Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa, who came to introduce the newly-appointed CEO, Tony Attah to him.

Saraki who remarked that the out-going NLNG ‎ Managing Director that the NLNG has succeeded in reducing gas flaring in Nigeria from 60 per cent to 20 per cent, said, “there is need to do more. You have to work harder so you can further reduce the current status of gas flaring in Nigeria.”

While pledging the support of the NASS in efforts to end gas flaring in the country, Saraki told the management of the NLNG that the legislative chambers would not relent in their efforts to ensure ‎the enthronement of business friendly incentives for economic development of the country.

He explained it was in this regard that the Senate facilitated the review of the railways laws, inherited from the colonial masters over 50 years ago.

The Senate President explained that the review of the railway law is central to the success of economic reforms in the country.

Senator Saraki who called for the Private Sector participation in railway development in Nigeria, said, “no government can fully fund railways development as it is central to economic reforms.”

He also advised the management of the NLNG to ensure that the roads leading from Port Harcourt ‎ to Bonny is constructed as it would lead to harmonious corporate community relationship with the host community in Bonny.

The Senate President advised the management of the NLNG to ensure that there is improvement in the use of domestic gas for cooking as it would drastically reduce the use of firewood for cooking in the country and consequently help to preserve the environment.

Earlier, the out-going NLNG boss, Omotowa, pointed out that he and the management team was at the NASS to introduce Mr. Tony Attah who is billed to assume duties as the on September, 2016.

He also thanked the Senate President for providing a fruitful and conducive atmosphere for the NLNG during his tenure as the Chief Executive of the gas company, while urging him to extend the same relationship to his successor, Tony Attah.

Meanwhile, Saraki has called for improved bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially in areas of common interest like education and elimination of terrorism.

He made the call when the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, led a delegation of Iranian officials on a visit to him in his office.

“There should be bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially in areas where there are common challenges like in tackling terrorism, science and education as well as in socio-cultural cooperation.”

He said that the visit of the Minister marks a new era in the bilateral relationship between both countries, as it would step up cooperation and collaboration in areas with similar interests – between Nigeria and Iran.

In calling for cooperation, Saraki said Nigeria and Iran has similar interests as regard the diversification of the economy, stating, “we are both oil producing countries and the falling price of crude oil has made it imperative for the diversification of the economy.”

On his part, the visiting Minister told the Senate President that Iran is ready to work and collaborate with Nigeria on education, science and technical fields, stating that there are many Nigerian students undergoing studies in several fields of endeavour in Iran.

The Minister further stated that Iran has scholarship programmes for Nigerian students schooling in Nigeria.

He added that Iran is ready to collaborate with Nigeria in parliamentary affairs, as both countries are members of several international parliamentary associations.