FG Visits Bille Community Over Gas Seepage, Provides Relief and Assures Lasting Solution
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the ongoing gas seepage in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following a high-level assessment visit and the delivery of immediate humanitarian assistance to affected residents.
The delegation, led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, visited the community on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Also on the delegation were the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, alongside representatives of key oil and gas operating companies.
Before proceeding to Bille, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara commended the coordinated response by the Federal Government, the NUPRC, and industry stakeholders.
Governor Fubara assured residents that urgent attention was being given to the environmental 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.
He also directed the immediate upgrade of the community’s primary healthcare facility to enhance its capacity to respond to medical emergencies arising from the gas seepage.
During the visit to Bille Community, the delegation distributed relief materials and announced a series of emergency interventions, including the provision of potable water, intensive medical outreach, medical consumables, additional firefighting equipment, and improved power supply support.
Addressing the traditional leadership at the palace of the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, HRM Ingo Herbert, Senator Ekpo assured residents that investigations into the cause of the seepage were progressing.
“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.
Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Chief Executive of the NUPRC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to identifying the source of the seepage through a comprehensive scientific investigation while ensuring that the humanitarian needs of affected residents are addressed without delay.
According to her, preliminary investigations have already been completed, while an international technical firm has been engaged to carry out detailed studies, with field operations 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 explained.
Mrs. Eyesan noted that technical experts from across the oil and gas industry are collaborating with the Commission to resolve the crisis and pledged that the community would receive regular updates throughout the investigation.
She further disclosed that initial assessments indicate contamination of the first groundwater aquifer, making the immediate provision of safe drinking water a priority while long-term environmental remediation is being developed.
“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 stated.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention but urged authorities to fulfil their commitments without delay.
He expressed hope that the environmental crisis would be resolved swiftly, enabling the community to safely enjoy the benefits of its abundant oil and gas resources.
The visit underscores the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to environmental protection, public safety, and collaborative action in addressing the challenges facing oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta.
Fawumi Kayode Abiodun
Political Analyst | CEO, Ekocity Media | Publisher, Ekocity Magazine and The Capitol Post
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