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The Federal Government has commenced emergency humanitarian intervention in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following confirmation that gas seepage has contaminated the community’s first aquifer.
The seepage has left residents in urgent need of potable water and other essential services. Leading a high-powered delegation to the affected community on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, assured residents that the Federal Government would not only provide immediate relief but also ensure a permanent solution to the environmental challenge.
The delegation included the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, as well as representatives of oil and gas operating companies.
Before visiting Bille, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who pledged the state’s support in addressing the emergency.
“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,” the Governor said.
Fubara also directed the immediate upgrade of the community’s primary healthcare centre to enable it respond effectively to health emergencies arising from the incident.
At Bille Community, the delegation distributed relief materials and announced additional emergency measures, including the provision of potable water, intensive medical outreach, medical consumables, firefighting equipment and improved electricity supply.
Addressing residents at the palace of the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, HRM Ingo Herbert, Ekpo said investigations into the source of the gas seepage were ongoing and assured the community that government would ensure the environment is fully restored.
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“Investigation into the root cause is ongoing, and the Federal Government is fully committed to resolving the issue. We will ensure the environment is safe and properly remediated. We are with you on this,” the minister said.
Also speaking, Eyesan said the Commission had carried out preliminary investigations and engaged an international firm to undertake comprehensive scientific studies to determine the exact source of the seepage.
According to her, fieldwork for the investigation is expected to begin before the end of July.
“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.
She added that experts from across the oil and gas industry were working with the Commission to resolve the crisis and promised that the community would receive regular updates on the investigation.
Eyesan disclosed that initial assessments had confirmed contamination of the community’s first aquifer, making the provision of potable water an immediate priority.
“Our assessment indicates that the first aquifer has been contaminated, and while we work towards a sustainable long-term solution, we will provide potable water as quickly as possible,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, urged the Federal Government to expedite its intervention and fulfil its commitments, expressing hope that the community would soon enjoy the benefits of the oil and gas resources in its environment without the current hardship.
