FG to probe gas leak in Rivers community

July 2, 2026 4:19 pm

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo. Photo: Leadership.

The Federal Government on Wednesday moved to calm growing fears in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the persistent gas seepage in the area, with officials promising immediate humanitarian assistance and a comprehensive solution to the environmental crisis.

Leading a high-powered delegation to the riverine community was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, alongside the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and representatives of oil and gas companies operating in the region.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications at the NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, said the delegation first paid a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, before proceeding to the affected community.