The House of Representatives Committee on the South South Development Commission on Thursday faulted the response of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to the prolonged gas seepage in Billy Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, describing the situation as a major environmental and public health emergency that has lingered for nearly eight months.
At an investigative hearing in Abuja, lawmakers questioned officials of both agencies over what they described as regulatory lapses and delayed intervention, amid reports that the persistent gas seepage has contaminated water sources, polluted the air, disrupted economic activities and exposed residents to serious health and safety risks.
The probe followed growing concerns over the incident, first reported in late 2025, which has continued unabated despite months of investigations.
Residents of the riverine community have alleged that the emissions have rendered boreholes unsafe, crippled fishing and farming, their primary sources of livelihood, and left families living in constant fear of possible fire outbreaks and other health hazards.
Lawmakers also criticised the absence of key stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Exploration and Production Limited, the Rivers State Government, the state’s Ministries of Environment and Health, and the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area.
