The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to take urgent measures to stop a suspected gas leak that has persisted for about nine months in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The directive followed concerns over the potential health risks posed by the prolonged gas leak to residents who have continued to live with the situation.
The House committee, chaired by Julius Pondi, issued the directive after representatives of the Bille community, relevant regulatory agencies and companies linked to the incident appeared before it to provide explanations on the development.
The stakeholders were questioned over the delay in the arrival of foreign experts who were expected to assess the situation and determine a lasting solution to the gas leak.
A member of the Bille delegation and Secretary of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Luckyman Igila, told our correspondent that the prolonged gas leak was already taking a toll on residents, with several members of the community reportedly developing health problems.
Igila said the company allegedly connected to the incident had promised to conduct a medical outreach for residents affected by the leak.
He, however, expressed concern that the health conditions of some residents were deteriorating despite the assurance, stressing the need for immediate intervention by the relevant authorities.
He appealed to the regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to urgently address the leak and prevent further harm to residents of the oil-producing community.
