Oil Exploration: Lagos’ll adopt measures to curb gas flaring, youths’ restiveness – Ambode

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said his administration is putting measures in place to address the issue of oil spillage, gas flaring, youth restiveness that may arise as a result of the exploration of crude oil in the state.

The governor spoke at the commissioning of IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation in Ikoyi area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Ambode said his administration was fully aware of the potential risk inherent in the oil exploration industry in terms of oil spills, under water aquifer containment, gas flaring, community conflicts, youth restiveness, health and safety issues, among others.

“Lagos State is taking proactive measures and will soon be committing substantial investments to prevent possible occurrence of the aforementioned and be able to respond effectively when they do occur,” said Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Olawale Oluwo.

He said the state was at the threshold of witnessing a boost in economic growth and employment generation given the evolving developments in investment climate, particularly the oil and gas sector, as the Dangote group is investing billions of dollars to establish a refinery at the Lekki Free Zone.

The governor said the IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation was being effectively positioned to become a leading player in the oil and gas industry.

“We are aware of the multiplier effects that a viable oil and gas industry will bring about in terms of investment opportunities that will be created in allied industries and sectors of the state economy. This has been the main driving force behind our commitment to develop strategies and policies that will continue to ease the process of doing business in Lagos State,” Ambode stated.

Managing Director, IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation, Ms Ola Debayo-Doherty said the agency would soon flag off its operation, as the corporation was finalizing front-end design and development work on a gas commercialization project.

“It will enable the achievement of the realization of the state aspiration to make a step change and become the preferred business hub in Africa, grow its economy and transform the state into the desired mega city,” she said.