..As Fubara Demands Urgent Environmental Cleanup

The Federal Government has assured residents of Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State that it is committed to finding a lasting solution to the gas leak that has affected the community for months.

Recall that Bille community has been battling gas leakage for over one month, a development that has affected their water, River and all aspects of environment.

The assurance was given by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, after leading a Federal Government delegation to a stakeholders’ meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Ekpo said investigations into the cause of the gas seepage were still ongoing and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with government agencies handling the investigation.

He explained that following reports of the incident, the Federal Government immediately deployed experts to the area. However, the absence of oil and gas infrastructure near the affected site made it difficult to determine the source of the leakage, necessitating more detailed investigations.

“The investigation is still ongoing, but we decided to return to engage with the people of Bille Community because we need their collaboration to arrive at a lasting solution.

“The safety of the people is paramount. We understand their anxiety and the danger the situation poses, but the Federal Government is committed to resolving the problem permanently. The welfare and security of the people remain our primary responsibility,” Ekpo said.

Governor Fubara, who described the meeting as productive, called for urgent and comprehensive action to address the environmental and health challenges caused by the gas leakage.

He also pledged that the Primary Healthcare Centre in Bille would be upgraded to better respond to the health needs of residents affected by the incident.

According to the governor, the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting brought together representatives of the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government, regulatory agencies, industry operators and community leaders to review the situation and chart a sustainable path towards resolving the crisis.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. There is a case of gas leakage, and the people have been calling on government to intervene.

“As a state, we have visited the community alongside industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Today’s enlarged meeting is to enable all parties to examine the cause of the problem and agree on the most effective solution,” Fubara said.

He expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts would yield results, adding that further actions would be taken in the coming weeks to ensure a permanent resolution.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, assured residents that the commission and industry operators would spare no effort in addressing the situation.

She disclosed that the NUPRC, in collaboration with industry operators, would provide potable water and fire trucks to support the affected community while investigations continue.

Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of the Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, outlined the challenges confronting the community and appealed for urgent government intervention to protect the lives and livelihoods of residents.

A statement signed by the Chief press secretary to the Governor, Mr. Onwuka Nzeshi, noted that the Federal Government delegation included officials of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the NUPRC and other relevant agencies. The delegation is expected to visit the affected site in Bille for an on-the-spot assessment.

Meanwhile, an infectious disease educator, Dr Nria-Nteigbanam Gilbert, has warned that prolonged exposure to the leaking gas could pose serious health risks, particularly to children, pregnant women and the elderly.

According to him, continuous inhalation of the gas may cause respiratory complications, persistent headaches, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, vomiting, loss of smell and, in severe cases, increase the risk of lung cancer.

He urged the Rivers State Government to treat the incident as a public health emergency by establishing medical screening centres for residents and conducting a transparent investigation involving health experts to determine the composition of the gas and the appropriate public health response.