#9

Nigeria has recently missed its re-extended deadline to stop the natural gas flares from a production plant near the delta of a river and lots of farmland. The flares produce extreme heat, smoke, light 24 hours a day, and noise like a jet plane. Nigerians are getting very angry about the constant disruptions to daily life, as well as the farmland-their income. Social activist Vivian Bellonwu is frustrated with the constant deadline extensions, and the Nigerian government should be as well. "Everyone agrees the flares are wasting billions of dollars in valuable gas," says Bellonwu. She also mentions some of the consequences for humans. Consequences include cancer, children with asthma, and a suggestion that the gasses may be making women infertile. I can't believe that the flares haven't stopped yet, with their gas accounting for 40% of that produced in Nigeria.
The government and the oil industry both agree that the flares need to stop, but everyone is noticing their lack of action. Hopefully some focus can come to this issue and resolve the flares before the human consequences turn more severe.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7820384.stm