The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the mysterious gas seepage in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, assuring residents that efforts are underway to identify the root cause and implement a permanent solution.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, gave the assurance on Wednesday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt attended by representatives of the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, regulatory agencies, industry operators and leaders of the affected community.
Ekpo disclosed that the Federal Government swiftly deployed experts to investigate the incident immediately after it was reported but noted that the absence of oil and gas infrastructure around the affected area had complicated the investigation.
He dismissed claims that the government had been silent on the issue, stressing that authorities had been working behind the scenes to unravel the source of the gas seepage and provide a lasting remedy.
“At the initial stage, it was difficult to determine the cause because there are no oil or gas facilities in the immediate vicinity. This made it necessary to carry out more extensive investigations,” the minister said.
According to him, investigations are still ongoing, while the government continues to engage the Bille community to ensure cooperation in identifying the source of the seepage and preventing future occurrences.
“The safety of the people remains our top priority. We understand their concerns and the risks posed by the incident, but the Federal Government is fully committed to finding a lasting solution,” Ekpo assured.
The minister also commended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his support and collaboration in addressing the environmental challenge.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Fubara praised the Federal Government and its agencies for their determination to uncover the cause of the gas seepage and permanently resolve the issue.
He assured residents that the problem would receive urgent attention, noting that the Rivers State Government had been working closely with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and industry operators to assess the situation.
Fubara also announced plans to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre in Bille to strengthen medical services and cater to health issues linked to the gas seepage.
He expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the meeting would translate into concrete actions in the coming weeks.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, pledged the commission’s support for the affected community.
She said the NUPRC, in collaboration with industry operators, was prepared to meet some of the community’s immediate needs, including the provision of potable water and firefighting equipment.
Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of the Council of Chiefs of Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, highlighted the devastating impact of the gas seepage on residents.
According to him, women and children have been suffering from skin irritations and rashes, while the community is also grappling with worsening air pollution and other environmental hazards.
Dappa appealed to the Federal and Rivers State governments to urgently intervene to safeguard lives, protect public health and preserve the livelihoods of the people of Bille Community.
SOURCE: NAN
