Every year, millions of dollars are literally going up in smoke in Nigeria, Africas top crude oil-exporting nation; companies infact usually burn off unwanted natural gas released during oil production.

This flaring and venting produces more greenhouse-gas emissions than any other single source in South Saharian Africa, and many who live in oil-producing communities complain about chronic health and environmental problems associated with the gas flares.

Much of the Nigerian region where oil is pumped is a maze of winding mangrove creeks and waterways. Leafy, green and humid, Ebocha-Egbema is an unremarkable collection of small villages with tin-roof houses and shops, located in the heart of the Rivers State in Nigerias turbulent oil-producing Niger Delta.

Huge flames billow in the air over Ebocha, and above them, black clouds leap into the sky. The giant gas flares operated by Agip-Nigeria belch out noxious fumes that loom over homes, farms and shops. Theres a strange smell and an audible hiss in the air.

Residents of the Niger Delta region, where Ebocha is located, say gas flaring is ruining lives and livelihoods.

Despite these complains, Agip continue to flare gas in the area. Their operation has truncated the livelihoods of the local people, and diseases such as Asthma, Bronchitis, Cancer and other respiratory track diseases are wide spread in the area, and adjourning communities.

According to the Nigerian Nation Petroleum Corporation annual Bulletin report (2010), Agip owns 15 oil wells in Ebocha, about 642,539 barrels of oil is produced and about 65% of associated gas is flared.