Residents of Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have been assured by the Federal Government (FG) of the provision of potable water and medical outreach among others as the drive to tackle the gas seepage at the community continues in full throttle.
This was made known during a visit to the community by a federal government delegation headed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Among those in the visiting delegation were the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, in addition to oil and gas operators who later held discussion with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara before going down to the affected community.
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The delegation distributed relief items to the residents and disclosed plans to immediately provide potable water, conduct intense medical outreach and provision of consumables, firefighting equipment, among others, as part of intervention measures.
While commending the response of the Federal Government and the industry players, Governor Fubara directed that the primary health care center of the community be immediately upgraded to enable it take care of any health challenges associated with the gas seepage.
While addressing the community at the Amanyanabo Palace, Mr. Minister Ekpo emphasized the willingness of the federal government to solve the environmental problem.
“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.
According to the NUPRC, preliminary tests had been carried out, and the Commission has hired an international company to conduct further scientific research on the issue, which is due to start shortly in the end of July.
In addition, the Commission revealed that their investigations showed the presence of pollution in the first aquifer, which made it a priority to provide clean drinking water until the permanent solution is found.
Eyesan reassured the community that specialists in the oil and gas sector in collaboration with the Commission were trying to establish the origin of the seepage.
“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.
Mr. Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, requested the government to fulfill its promises soon in order to allow the community to use their oil and gas resources.
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