President Umaru Musa Yar�Adua announced on Monday that government is working out a realistic and achievable date as the deadline for gas flare-out by all oil and gas companies operating in the country.
The President made this known during the 2008 Commonwealth Day celebration in Abuja.
He explained that the exercise is part of government�s efforts to tackle the challenges of climate change and global warming occasioned by the emission of green house gases (GHG) from gas flare out.
Represented at the occasion by the Minister of Information and Communication, John Odey, the President noted that in addition to the move, government has initiated a number of other policies and programmes, including the Local Empowerment and Environment Management Programme (LEEMP) with the assistance of the World Bank.
Yar�Adua reiterated Nigeria�s commitment to meeting her global obligations as enunciated in the various multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) aimed at addressing global environmental concerns.
“We are working assiduously towards producing contemporary standards and guidelines in all aspects of environmental management.
This should result in clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders and serve as veritable tool for productive partnerships in effectively managing our environment.
“We also demonstrated our commitment to the implementation of the environmental initiatives of the new Partnership for Africa�s Development (NEPAD), especially in the areas of erosion, flood and coastal management,� Yar�Adua said.
In his remarks, Minister of Education, Igwe Aja-Nwachuku, said the theme for this year�s celebration, “The Environment �Our Future,� is a reflection of the concern of the commonwealth for the variety of environmental problems now affecting the entire world.
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