By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja
The Federal Government has assured residents of Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State of immediate humanitarian assistance and a permanent solution to the gas seepage affecting the area as investigations continue to determine the source of the incident.
A Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, visited the community on Thursday alongside the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and representatives of oil and gas operators.
According to a statement by the NUPRC’s Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the delegation delivered relief materials and pledged to provide potable water, intensive medical outreach, additional firefighting equipment and support for electricity supply to ease the hardship faced by residents.
The Commission said the delegation had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who assured residents that the Federal Government was taking steps to bring the situation under control.
According to the governor, requests for potable water, healthcare and firefighting support had been noted and would be addressed without delay.
Fubara also directed the immediate upgrade of the community’s primary healthcare centre to strengthen its capacity to respond to medical emergencies arising from the gas seepage.
Speaking at the palace of the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, HRM Ingo Herbert, Ekpo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to identifying the cause of the seepage and restoring environmental safety.
“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,” he said.
Eyesan said the NUPRC had completed preliminary investigations but was adopting a cautious approach to avoid worsening the situation before any intervention.
She disclosed that the Commission had engaged an international firm to conduct comprehensive scientific studies, with fieldwork expected to commence 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,” she said.
She added that experts from across the oil and gas industry were collaborating with the Commission to identify the source of the seepage and implement a permanent solution, assuring residents that they would receive regular updates on the progress of the investigation.
On immediate interventions, Eyesan revealed that preliminary assessments showed the community’s first aquifer had been contaminated.
“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.
Responding on behalf of the community, Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention but urged the authorities to fulfil their promises promptly to enable residents to fully benefit from the area’s oil and gas resources.
