A Mixed Method Inquiry of Gas Flaring Consequences, Mitigation Strategies and Policy Implication for Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria

Abstract

The issue of gas flaring in Nigeria has become a topical one in view of the devastating effect it has in the socio-economic lives of the people in the affected areas. This paper investigates the environmental implication and mitigating strategies of the victims in Nigeria. Mix method was adopted by conducting 60 semi-structured interviews in three communities. The data was transcribed and analyzed using ATLAS.ti and content analysis. Findings show that gas flaring is the major problem facing the Niger Delta communities having negative effects on resident’s health, source of income and farm produce without any legal framework to curb it. Findings also show that people mitigate by using self-strategies such as nose mask, fertilizer for farm produce and boiling of drinking water. Data collected from government shows that there is an annual increase in gas production but gas flaring decreases at a slower rate as depicted in the graph. The paper is the first to conduct research on the coping strategy of the victims of gas flaring in Niger Delta and the importance of technology in eradicating gas flaring. The study recommended technology transfer from technologically advanced countries in capturing the associated gas instead of flaring it.

Keywords: Gas flaring, Environmental legislation, Health, Ecological Sustainability, Mitigating Strategy, Government.

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-2-07