Diri criticizes FG on failure to allocate gas flare fine

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has criticized the federal government’s failure to allocate gas flare fines and royalties from oil companies to Niger Delta states. He highlighted that oil-producing states and local communities suffering from gas flaring have been denied vital revenue for years.

During an expanded state executive council meeting, where the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) presented its final report, Diri expressed concern over oil companies operating their offices far from their production sites, which deprives states like Bayelsa of personal income and tax revenues.

The report, titled “An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria,” revealed alarming statistics about the human and environmental impact of oil pollution, noting that Bayelsa accounts for 25% of Nigeria’s total recorded oil pollution. Diri described this as an environmental crisis and underscored the unfair distribution of pollution burdens.

He emphasized that advanced countries operate under principles that hold polluters accountable, advocating for a similar approach in Nigeria. Diri announced plans to dissolve the commission by October 31, 2024, and pledged to establish a committee to ensure the implementation of the commission’s recommendations.

The report calls for international action to generate $12 billion over 12 years for environmental restoration and a transition to renewable energy in Bayelsa. Former Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, and King Bubaraye Dakolo, head of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for accountability from oil companies and the recognition of the devastating impact of oil extraction on local communities.