Amidst concerns being raised about the impact of its operations on the environment, Nigeria’s foremost gas company, Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) remains resolute in its quest at protecting the environment and ensuring that its operations continue to be environmentally friendly.

This year’s World Environment Day saw some of its officials planting trees at the Finima Nature Park in Bonny Island. According to the company, the tree planting initiative, which is an annual event, was focused on preserving the biodiversity of the environment on Bonny Island.

MODELING CARE FOR THE ENVIROMENT: TONY

The Company further explained that the Finima Nature Park, a natural park on Bonny Island covering an area of approximately 1000 hectares, was established in 1999 by the Nigeria LNG with the aim of conserving nature and biodiversity in the region. Today, the Park seeks to be Ramsar Site of International importance. This drive recently received a boost with the nomination by the Federal Government for the park to become a Ramsar Site.

With this endorsement by Nigeria’s Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor on February 3, 2020, the Finima Nature Park is looking to becoming the 12th Ramsar Site in Nigeria and 3rd in the Niger Delta. It had already in 2019 earned the designation of an internationally acclaimed centre for wetland education and a member of Wetlands Link International. This made it one of the 350 Wetland Centres globally and the second in Nigeria.

Ikpeazu had given this endorsement through the Director of Forestry in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Sikiru Oladele Tiamiyu, in February during the commemoration of the 2020 World Wetlands Day (WWD) in Bonny by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), in collaboration with the NLNG.

The theme for the event “Wetlands and Biodiversity”, was used to highlight the need to protect wetlands and biodiversity they inhabit. Estimates show that biodiversity is declining globally, with wetlands disappearing three times faster than forests. Consequently, this year underlines the need to protect wetlands biodiversity and urgently address its loss.

“Finima Nature Park is part of Nigeria LNG’s  contribution to national and global conservation goals in line with Rio Agenda 21, Ramsar Convention, and Convention on Biological Diversity”

Eyono Fatayi-Williams, GM, External Relations, Nigeria LNG

Speaking at the event, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Eyono Fatayi-Williams noted that the company earnestly identifies with the global aspiration to promote a healthy ecosystem where humans and other living things can co-exist with its operations, stressing that “the Finima Nature Park was a good representation of the Niger Delta ecology, for conservation, recreational activities, research and study purposes.”

She said, “Beyond being home to numerous wildlife species including dwarf crocodiles, troops of the Mona Monkey, African Fish Eagles and African Grey parrots, to mention a few; the Nature Park is part of company’s  contribution to national and global conservation goals in line with Rio Agenda 21, Ramsar Convention, and Convention on Biological Diversity”

She further stated that the company fully understands the importance of wetlands as a means to reducing the carbon footprint of the oil and gas industry’s activities in Bonny.

“The philosophy underpinning the Nature Park, which acts as a carbon sink through the CO2 sequestration abilities of the vegetation, also aligns with our contribution to the reduction of gas flaring in the country through our commercialization of natural gas which would otherwise have been flared”.

According to online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, a Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by the United Nations Economic Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which came into force in 1975.

It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources. Ramsar identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat.

Checks by Kristina Reports indicate a policy insistence on the part of the NLNG that contracting firms doing business with it must show clear commitment to protect the environment, safeguard the ecosystem and avoid operational tendencies that have the potential of harming the environment.

Around the company’s facilities in Bonny Island, there is deliberate and evidenced commitment to sustain a green environment conducive for plant and animals.