A new World Bank report shows Nigeria is one of nine countries responsible for over 83% of global gas flaring, worth $54 billion in lost value last year. The article argues the federal government must enforce existing laws and close regulatory loopholes that allow international oil companies to continue flaring instead of investing in gas capture and utilization. Nigeria loses billions of naira annually to flaring while communities in the Niger Delta suffer respiratory diseases and environmental damage. The flared gas could generate an estimated 241 GWh of electricity. The government has pledged to end routine flaring by 2030 through the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, but critics say weak enforcement and inadequate infrastructure have stalled progress.
