Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have called for the government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.
The groups, under the aegis of Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) on Tuesday.
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The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Kentebe Ebiaridor, said that the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.
Mr Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.
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He said that discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.
According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease 18 should be held accountable.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission had, in a statement issued on 20 March by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said it had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in the Bille Community.
Mr Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.
Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency if urgent steps were not taken.
Mr Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the test results reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.
He also said that CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.
‘We are afraid’
A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Owandemi Deinbo, described a troubling pattern of environmental disturbances that has persisted for nearly a year.
“For close to a year now, we have witnessed boiling and bubbles from the ground and even on the river. In some cases, this is happening within residential areas. There have also been incidents of fire outbreaks, though locals have managed to contain them.”
He warned that the situation could escalate into a major disaster if not urgently addressed.
He added, “We are afraid that if this is not contained, it may lead to more devastating environmental consequences. The people cannot be separated from their environment—once it is compromised, their survival is at risk.”
He appealed to the relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.
In response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would raise its concerns with the appropriate quarters.
Mr Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and for their concerns about community development in the state.
