The House of Representatives Committee on the South-South Development Commission has launched an inquiry into an ongoing gas leak in the Bille community of Rivers State. Lawmakers are investigating why the situation remains unresolved nearly a year after its initial discovery, highlighting the severe environmental and health consequences for local residents.
During a session at the National Assembly, officials from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) were questioned about the delayed response and conflicting data. Committee Chairman, Hon. Julius Pondi, emphasized that the goal is to pinpoint the cause of the emissions, hold responsible parties accountable, and address the lack of effective oversight.
NOSDRA confirmed that the leak persists, releasing dangerous levels of methane, hydrogen sulphide, and carbon dioxide into the environment. While the NUPRC noted that investigations have ruled out a direct link to existing oil infrastructure, they confirmed that groundwater and air quality have been severely compromised. Experts suggested that the gas may be migrating from deep-seated geological reservoirs.
Lawmakers criticized the sluggish response, calling for urgent relief for the affected population. Although some aid and safety measures, such as venting gas above rooftops, have been introduced, representatives argued that these actions are insufficient. Some members suggested that NEMA should be involved or that residents might need to be relocated if the leak cannot be stopped. The NUPRC stated that broad remediation efforts cannot begin until the exact source of the seepage is identified, though they have recommended that the Rivers State government consider a managed evacuation.
