Gas Flaring: CSO Sues FG Over PIA Sections

A civil society organisation (CSO), the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative (PCCEI), has taken the federal government to the Federal High Court over some sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 that affect gas flaring.

It said the suit was instituted in the interest of Nigerians, pointing out that it was founded on a simple but fundamental proposition.

PCCEI executive director, Courage Nsirimovu, disclosed this yesterday during a consolidated conference on the Niger Delta clean-up campaign in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Nsirimovu said the legal action was aimed at challenging the continued consequences of air pollution, toxic emissions and other anthropogenic activities that unlawfully come at the expense of human life, dignity and the environmental conditions necessary for people to live safely.

“We believe that children yet unborn have a right to inherit a protected environment, and that environmental rights should prevail over interests that undermine the fundamental right to life and human dignity. Pilex will pursue this case with determination.

“The case presents an opportunity for Nigeria to take a decisive step in jurisprudence within the realities of the 21st century.

“We call on civil society organisations and environmental defenders to join us.

“Through this action, Pilex invites the Nigerian judiciary to provide authoritative guidance on the relationship between petroleum interests and climate change, while recognising the rights of scientists, lawyers, affected communities, young people and all Nigerians committed to an environment capable of sustaining human life.

“Nigerians committed to environmental justice should follow this step towards recognising that environmental degradation has serious implications for human life and dignity,” he said.