As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2021 World Environment Day (WED), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it remains committed to the promotion of sustainable environment across its operations.
Speaking at an event organized by the corporation’s health, safety, environment department to mark the day, its group managing director, Mallam Mele Kyari, cited its energy transition programme and support for carbon neutral projects as proofs of that commitment.
He said the oil and gas industry and particularly the NNPC were conscious of the impact of their operations on the environment, hence, had been at the forefront of efforts to preserve the environment wherever they operate.
Kyari said it was in keeping with the philosophy of environmental sustainability that the oil and gas industry was leading a move towards energy transition and embracing carbon neutral activities.
“The oil and gas industry is also leading a move towards transition of energy where our activities become carbon neutral. It means that we have more respect for the environment, we carry out our activities in such a way that impact on the environment is at the barest minimum,” he said.
The GMD said NNPC and its partners across the industry had succeeded in minimizing oil spills and emplaced measures to ensure that even when spills occur, they are immediately contained, adding restoration of the environment is now a first line activity in the oil and gas industry.
He averred that the NNPC would continue to engage stakeholders, regulatory institutions and global partners to ensure the environment is preserved for generations to come.
On Environment Day, he expressed hope that Nigeria would be the first African country to host the global event.
Earlier in his address, the chief operating officer, corporate services of the corporation, Mr Mohammed Ahmed, said NNPC would strive to carry out its business in alignment with the ecosystem and the theme of the 2021 World Environment Day which is ‘ecological restoration and resetting our relation with nature’.
Also speaking at the occasion, the general manager, group health, safety, environment and quality, Engr. Hussaini Alli, said there was need for everyone to work towards preserving and sustaining the environment, stressing that the objective of the World Environment Day is to sensitize and galvanize people to take positive action for the sustenance of the environment.
A statement by the NNPC group general manager, group public affairs division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, said the World Environment Day is observed on June 5 every year, adding Pakistan was the global host of this year’s event which saw the launch of the United Nation’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
