Civil society organisations(CSOs) have called on the Federal Government to urgently step up response efforts to the ongoing environmental crisis in Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following reports of sustained underwater vibrations and a suspected gas eruption.

The call came as no fewer than six civil society groups, including Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, paid an advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) over persistent underwater vibrations and a suspected gas eruption in the oil-bearing community.

Speaking after the meeting, Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the engagement with regulators raised more questions than answers, particularly around the lack of a clear response framework.

“It is very clear that something is in the offing, but there is no defined timeline of what is going to be done.

“We came to understand the extent of emergency response and what support can be provided, but what we are seeing is still largely unclear.”

Ebiaridor did not hide his frustration, accusing both the Federal Government and other regulatory agencies of failing a community that has long supported Nigeria’s oil economy.

“We are totally disappointed in the manner the agencies and the Federal Government have responded. This is a community that has fed the nation for almost seven decades, yet what we are getting is lip service. Who is in charge? Who owns the facility responsible for this situation?”

He further argued that in the absence of clear accountability, all operators within OML 18 must be held responsible.

“If nobody is coming forward to take ownership, then every company operating in that bloc must answer for the carnage in Bille. The people cannot continue to suffer because of corporate silence and regulatory gaps,” he added.

Also speaking, Resource Justice Manager at Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the environmental situation is rapidly spiralling into a public health emergency.

“This is becoming a health crisis—one that could lead to loss of lives if urgent steps are not taken. We have been told that tests have been conducted, but why are the results not public? People deserve to know the condition of their environment.”

Edegbuo said civil society groups are prepared to escalate the issue beyond Nigeria if necessary.

“This is not just a local issue. Nigerians live in Bille, and their lives matter. We cannot continue to prioritise oil profits over human survival.

“We are ready to take this campaign global and call out the companies operating in that area.”
He also called for immediate emergency planning, including evacuation strategies.

“If the situation worsens, there must be systems in place to evacuate residents. Oil companies must begin to take responsibility by putting in place measures that protect lives while investigations continue,” he said.

From the community, a legal practitioner and stakeholder, Owandemi Deinbo, described a troubling pattern of environmental disturbances that has persisted for nearly a year.

“For close to a year now, we have witnessed boilings and bubbles from the ground and even on the river. In some cases, this is happening within residential areas. There have also been incidents of fire outbreaks, though locals have managed to contain them.”

He warned that the situation could escalate into a major disaster if not urgently addressed.

He added: “We are afraid that if this is not contained, it may lead to more devastating environmental consequences. The people cannot be separated from their environment—once it is compromised, their survival is at risk.”