𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗸: 𝗙𝗚 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

The Federal Government has pledged swift intervention to address the prolonged gas leakage crisis in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following mounting pressure from residents, traditional leaders, environmental advocates and other stakeholders demanding urgent action over the worsening environmental disaster.

The intervention comes days after NigerDelta Voice reported that the National Union of Ijaw Students (NUIS) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to immediately tackle the nearly one-year-old gas seepage, warning that continued inaction could further endanger lives, livelihoods and the environment.

During a joint assessment visit to the affected community, the Federal Government also confirmed that preliminary investigations by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) revealed contamination of Bille's first aquifer, underscoring the gravity of the environmental emergency and reinforcing calls for immediate remediation.

The disclosure was made during a visit led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, alongside the Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, officials of the Rivers State Government and representatives of oil and gas operators.

Mrs. Eyesan disclosed that although preliminary investigations have been completed, the commission is proceeding cautiously to prevent further hazards before commencing major intervention works. She added that an international technical firm has been engaged to conduct comprehensive studies, with field investigations expected to begin before the end of July.

She further confirmed that the community's first aquifer has already been contaminated as a result of the prolonged toxic gas seepage, prompting the Federal Government to prioritise the provision of potable water while developing a sustainable long-term solution.

"We have carried out preliminary investigations. However, we are carefully managing the situation to prevent further hazards before any intervention. We have engaged an international firm to undertake the final studies, with fieldwork expected to commence before the end of July," she said.

As part of its immediate response, the Federal Government delivered relief materials to residents and pledged emergency humanitarian assistance, including potable water, medical outreach services, firefighting equipment and support for electricity supply in the community.

Speaking during the visit, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, assured residents that the Federal Government remains committed to identifying the source of the gas seepage, containing the environmental impact and restoring the affected area.

He stressed that investigations into the root cause are ongoing and assured the community that every necessary measure would be taken to ensure proper environmental remediation and guarantee the safety of residents.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, commended the collaborative response by the Federal Government and industry stakeholders, assuring the people that their concerns would receive prompt attention. He also directed the immediate upgrade of the community's primary healthcare facility to improve its capacity to respond to health emergencies arising from the gas seepage.

The Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, urged the Federal Government to swiftly fulfil its promises, noting that the people of Bille deserve to benefit from the abundant natural resources in their community without suffering the devastating consequences of environmental pollution.

The latest confirmation by the NUPRC that groundwater contamination has occurred further heightens concerns over the scale of the environmental crisis and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive remediation and sustained government intervention to protect lives, restore the ecosystem and prevent further damage in the oil-producing Niger Delta community.