We urge the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua that the December deadline to end gas flaring in all Niger Delta communities to be strictly adhered to once and for all.

Since 1969, the Fedral Government of Nigeria has not enforced the various administrative directives and laws it enacted to end gas flaring in the Niger Delta region. It has also refused to enforce a subsisting court judgment declaring gas flaring illegal.

Nigeria is the worlds' second largest flarer of gas associated with crude oil extraction. The country burns 23 billion cubic meters annually. This practice which costs $2.5 billion dollars in annual revenue losses (by 2005 estimates), has led to a myriad of social, health and environmental costs, and is a major factor in the tension and conflicts raging in the Niger Delta region.

Now that that the country is on the eve of another gas flare out deadline, the global community is watching and waiting.

ERA calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to bring the erring multinational corporations to order and halt this destructive activity, and not a single day later than 31 December, 2008.

AGAIN, THE WORLD IS WATCHING