By Onu Okorie

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo has disclosed that the Federal Government will investigate the root cause of gas seepage ravaging Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A statement made available to the media yesterday in Abuja by Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC, said that the assurance was given by the Minister while speaking at the palace of the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Ingo Herbert, during a visit to the community.

“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,” the minister said.

 The Federal Government delegation, led by Ekpo, included the Commission’s Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, alongside representatives of oil and gas companies operating in the area.

Eyesan said the NUPRC was pursuing a comprehensive scientific investigation to identify the source of the seepage, while simultaneously addressing emergency humanitarian needs without delay.

She disclosed that although preliminary investigations had already been carried out, the Commission was carefully managing the site to prevent the situation from worsening ahead of a full technical intervention.

She revealed that an international firm had been engaged to conduct detailed studies, with fieldwork expected to commence before the end of July, and that technical experts from across the oil and gas industry were collaborating with the Commission to resolve the crisis. She promised the community regular updates on the progress of the investigation.

Eyesan further disclosed that preliminary assessments had shown contamination of the first aquifer, making the provision of potable water an immediate priority while a long-term solution is developed.

Responding on behalf of the community, Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, urged the government to fulfil its commitments promptly, noting that residents deserved to fully benefit from the oil and gas resources in their area once the environmental challenge is resolved.

Before proceeding to the affected community, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who commended the coordinated response by the Federal Government and industry stakeholders and assured residents that urgent steps were being taken to bring the situation under control.

“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,” Fubara said.

The governor also directed the immediate upgrade of the community’s primary healthcare facility to strengthen its capacity to respond to medical emergencies arising from the seepage.

At Bille Community, the delegation distributed relief materials and announced additional emergency interventions, including the provision of potable water, intensive medical outreach, medical consumables, extra firefighting equipment, and support for electricity supply.