The Federal Government has assured residents of Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State of immediate humanitarian assistance and a lasting solution to the ongoing gas seepage affecting the area, as investigations continue to determine the source of the incident.
A Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, visited the community on Thursday alongside the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and representatives of oil and gas operators.
During the visit, the delegation delivered relief materials to affected residents and announced a series of emergency interventions aimed at reducing the impact of the incident. These include the provision of potable water, expanded medical outreach services, additional firefighting equipment, and support to improve electricity supply within the community.
In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, the Commission said the delegation had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who reassured residents that the Federal Government was taking decisive steps to address the situation.
Governor Fubara acknowledged requests for clean drinking water, improved healthcare services and enhanced firefighting support, assuring the community that the needs would be addressed without delay.
The governor also directed the immediate upgrade of the community’s primary healthcare centre to improve its capacity to respond to medical emergencies associated with the gas seepage.
Addressing residents at the palace of the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Ingo Herbert, Senator Ekpo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to identify the cause of the gas seepage and restore environmental safety in the affected area.
He said investigations into the root cause were ongoing, stressing that the government remained fully committed to resolving the incident and ensuring that the environment was properly remediated and made safe for residents.
The NUPRC Chief Executive, Mrs Eyesan, disclosed that the Commission had engaged an international scientific firm to carry out comprehensive studies to determine the exact source of the seepage, adding that field investigations are expected to commence before the end of July.
She explained that although preliminary investigations had already been conducted, authorities were carefully managing the situation to prevent further hazards before any major intervention is undertaken.
According to her, experts from across the oil and gas industry are working closely with the Commission to identify the source of the seepage and develop a permanent solution. She assured residents that they would receive regular updates as the investigation progresses.
Mrs Eyesan further revealed that preliminary assessments indicated that the community’s first aquifer had been contaminated, making the immediate provision of safe drinking water a priority.
She said while efforts continue to achieve a long-term solution, the Federal Government would move swiftly to provide potable water to affected residents.
Responding on behalf of the community, Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention and expressed hope that the promises made during the visit would be implemented without delay.
He urged the authorities to act swiftly, noting that residents have endured significant hardship despite living in a community that contributes substantially to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
FG Promises Urgent Relief, Permanent Solution to Gas Seepage in Rivers Community
