TUC urges govt to punish gas flaring coys after 2008
THE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) wants the Federal Government to ensure that oil companies which do not end gas flaring in 2008 are punished.
A statement by TUC's General Secretary, Chief John Kolawole, recently in Lagos decried the "non-challant attitude" of operators in the sector to gas flaring, pointing out that the 2008 target date set by government is not far away.
"Nigeria has lost about N45 billion in the last 20 years because of gas flaring. This is a flagrant waste of economic resources, which has continued to deprive the country of the much-needed revenue,'' it states.
The statement adds that the much-needed revenue to re-plan and develop the Niger Delta could be derived from the gas that was being flared.
It states further that gas is now being used by major industries in the country instead of relying on diesel powered generators, citing Ajaokuta Steel Mills as an example.
It urges the government to monitor operators in the oil sector to see how far they have gone in curtailing gas flaring and oil spillage that has continued to degrade the environment and make them comply.
The statement also notes that the wave of impeachment saga does not portray the country and Nigerians as good democrats before the international community.
"The frequency of such impeachment either stage-managed or provoked, must be in line with the constitutional provisions,'' it said.
It cautioned politicians not to overheat the system to avoid violence that could pave way for the declaration of a state of emergency in some states.
The statement also urged eligible voters to register in the ongoing voter registration, noting that was the only weapon to vote out bad leaders and enthrone true and lasting democracy in the country.
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