A Federal Government delegation, led by Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), is presently in Rivers State to assess the impact of gas leaks in Bille community, Degema Local Government Area.
The visit came less than 48 hours after Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, vowed swift action to ensure enduring solutions to the environmental crisis in the community.
Ekpo led the delegation to an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and community leaders at Government House on Wednesday.
Onwuka Nzeshi, chief press secretary to the state governor, said the meeting was called to review the situation in Bille and explore available opportunities to protect the people from the adverse effects of environmental pollution.
Ekpo commended Fubara for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in the Bille community.
The minister said that, contrary to perceptions in some quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly toward finding a sustainable solution.
He said that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to investigate the cause of the problem.
Ekpo said initially it was difficult to determine the cause since there were no oil or gas installations within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need for a more detailed investigation.
“Investigation is still ongoing, but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille community so we can get their collaboration and arrive at a lasting solution,” the minister said.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We understand their anxiety, worry and the danger this situation poses, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem.
“The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people, and that is exactly why we are here to see things for ourselves,” he added.
Governor Fubara demanded a quick and full resolution to the problems arising from the gas leakage in Bille, while pledging that the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in the community will be upgraded to address the health challenges confronting the people.
Fubara, who spoke with journalists at the end of the meeting, acknowledged the Federal Government’s determination to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille, and the people have been making requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure the issue is fully resolved.
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, chief executive officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in resolving it.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and industry operators are prepared to address the requests of the impacted people, including the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
Rena Dappa, public relations officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, presented the challenges facing the community during the meeting and appealed for government support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
