Council boss allays fears over gas leakage in Rivers community

The chairman of Bonny Council Area of Rivers State, Dame Anengi Barasua, has urged residents of Sangama Community not to panic following a gas leakage incident that occurred a few days ago.

Residents of the community said they had noticed the leakage last week, adding that the gas had been diffusing ceaselessly, thereby, causing panic in the Island community.

The chairman, in a statement signed by the council deputy press Secretary, Boma Waribor, assured that efforts were already in place to bring the situation under control.

Barasua explained that an earlier attempt to interface with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to take up responsibility for the gas leakage was not successful as the oil company claimed it had sold the facility to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC).

She, however, reassured that the Local Government is currently up and about towards ensuring NPDC takes full responsibility for the situation.

The statement reads: “The authority of Bonny Local Government wishes to notify residents, particularly those living in Sangama community that the Government is well aware of the gas leakage that occurred in the said community and efforts are already in place to bring the situation under control.

“Earlier attempts by the Local Government to interface with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), to take up responsibility for the gas leakage was not successful as SPDC claimed it had sold the facility to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC).

“The Local Government is currently up and about towards ensuring NPDC takes full responsibility for the situation, hence residents are advised to remain calm, as no stone will be left unturned in a bid to completely arrest the situation.”