Federal Team Visits Bille Community Over Gas Leak

A federal government team visited the Bille community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. They provided immediate help to the residents affected by gas seepage.

The federal government also promised to find a lasting solution to the ongoing gas leak.

This information came from a statement by Eniola Akinkuotu, head of media and corporate communications at the Nigerian Upstream Commission (NUPRC), on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Akinkuotu said the team was led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The delegation included the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and some oil and gas operators. They met with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and visited the Bille community.

In the statement, Mr Fubara praised the government's quick response and assured the community that their worries would be addressed soon.

"The federal government is doing everything possible to ensure that the gas seepage is brought under control. The requests for potable water, healthcare and firefighting support have been noted and will be addressed," Mr Fubara said.

The governor ordered an immediate upgrade of the primary healthcare facility in the community. This was to handle medical emergencies caused by the gas seepage.

The team later went to the Bille community and gave relief items to the residents.

Mr Ekpo promised that the government would provide clean water, medical outreach, firefighting equipment and support for power supply.

He also stressed the government’s and industry’s promise to restore safety to protect the health of the affected people.

Speaking at the palace of the Amanyanabo of the Bille Kingdom, Ingo Herbert, the minister said they were investigating the cause of the seepage.

Mr Ekpo stated that the federal government was committed to solving the issue to ensure the environment is safe and properly cleaned up.

The statement also quoted Ms Eyesan as saying that the NUPRC would find the source of the seepage through a thorough investigation.

Ms Eyesan said they would address emergency needs quickly.

"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 in the statement.

While thanking the residents for their patience, Ms Eyesan shared that experts from the oil and gas sector were working together with the commission to solve the crisis.

She assured that the commission would keep the public updated on the investigation.

On immediate relief efforts, Ms Eyesan said assessments showed that the first aquifer had been contaminated.

"While we work towards a sustainable long-term solution, we will provide potable water as quickly as possible," she added.

Alabo Dokubo, chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, asked for a quick fix to the seepage.

He urged the government to keep its promises so the community can benefit fully from its oil and gas resources.