A Federal Government delegation headed by Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), arrived in Rivers State to investigate gas leaks affecting Bille community in Degema Local Government Area. The visit took place within 48 hours of Governor Siminalayi Fubara's pledge to act decisively on the environmental crisis.
Ekpo convened an expanded meeting at Government House on Wednesday with federal officials, state representatives and community leaders. Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor's chief press secretary, said the gathering aimed to assess damage from the gas seepage and identify ways to shield residents from pollution.
The minister praised Fubara's hospitality and commitment to resolving the Bille situation. He rejected suggestions that the Federal Government had ignored the crisis, stating that his office had been actively pursuing solutions.
Federal experts were deployed immediately after the incident was reported, Ekpo told the assembly. Initial investigations proved challenging because no oil or gas facilities operated near the affected area, necessitating deeper analysis.
"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," he said. He added: "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."
Ekpo stressed that protecting citizens' welfare and security ranked as government's primary duty. "That is exactly why we are here to see things for ourselves," he noted.
Fubara insisted on rapid and complete resolution of the gas leakage crisis. He announced plans to upgrade the community's Primary Healthcare Centre to tackle resulting health problems among residents.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Fubara acknowledged federal determination to identify what caused the problem and permanently fix it. He described bringing together all stakeholders—industry operators and petroleum ministry officials included—as essential to understanding and resolving the issue.
"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," the governor explained. He characterised the meeting as productive and committed to intensive follow-up action within weeks.
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), noted his organisation's regulatory responsibilities in addressing the crisis. Officials assured Bille residents that multiple government agencies were coordinating efforts to trace the source and implement permanent fixes.
