The governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and stop the ongoing gas seepage in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of the state.
Lulu-Briggs, in a statement, said the Federal Government has a responsibility to work with relevant stakeholders to identify and stop the source of the hazard, ensure proper environmental remediation and provide compensation where liability is established.
He said: “I call on the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Degema Local Government Council, the leadership of Bille Community and all relevant operators to immediately establish a coordinated emergency response and source-control mechanism for Bille.
“The priorities are clear: protect lives, provide clean water and medical support, publish the scientific findings in plain language, identify and stop the source of the hazard, and ensure proper remediation and compensation where responsibility is established.
“This moment calls for transparent science, not speculation; practical relief, not political theatre; and accountability, not delay. The people of Bille deserve to know what has happened, the risks they face, what is being done, and who will take responsibility.”
Lulu-Briggs added: “The situation in Bille is deeply concerning and must be treated with the urgency, seriousness and humanity it deserves.
“This is not merely an environmental issue. It is a public safety, public health and livelihood emergency affecting a Rivers community that has long borne the burden of Nigeria’s oil and gas economy.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families, fishermen, women, children and community institutions whose water sources, health, safety and livelihoods may have been affected. No resource-bearing community should be left in fear, uncertainty or silence while technical investigations are ongoing.
“Bille should also become a turning point in how Rivers State and Nigeria address the wider challenge of ageing oil and gas infrastructure in our communities. Abandoned wells, ageing flowlines, old pumps, pipelines and other oilfield assets must not remain hidden threats to communities, water sources, livelihoods and the environment.
“I will not prejudge the technical cause. That is the responsibility of competent regulators, scientists and engineers. However, we insist that the people must be protected now, the truth must be established transparently, the hazard must be brought under control, and those responsible must fulfil their obligations to the community.
“Bille must not suffer in silence. Our communities should not be left to bear these burdens alone. Rivers people deserve environmental justice, public safety, honest information and responsible stewardship of the resources extracted from their land and waters.”
