A coalition of civil society organisations, including the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers State. The coalition, in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, expressed concern over the environmental and public health challenges posed by the gas leak. The letter was read to journalists in Port Harcourt by the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka.
According to Dr Osuoka, the persistent gas eruption in Bille has led to serious environmental and public health challenges. He urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille. The coalition also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food, and healthcare services. Dr Osuoka, also the Executive Director of Social Action, emphasised the need for urgent action to mitigate the effects of the gas leak.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes, and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025. The gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting, and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions. Preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator of Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille. This, he said, would enable residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination. Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents and commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak. He also called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor further urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community. Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025, to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers. Briggs also urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The coalition’s call for action comes as the Federal Government continues to grapple with environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region. The region has been plagued by oil spills, gas flaring, and other environmental degradation, which have had devastating impacts on local communities. The Bille gas leak is just one of many environmental challenges facing the region, and the coalition is urging the government to take a proactive approach to addressing these issues.
The Federal Government has been urged to take concrete steps to address the Bille gas leak and other environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region. The coalition is calling for a comprehensive approach that includes the establishment of a presidential task force, relocation of residents, provision of clean water and healthcare services, and the suspension of oil and gas operations in affected areas. The government has yet to respond to the coalition’s demands, but it is expected to take action soon to mitigate the effects of the gas leak and address the environmental challenges facing the region.
Key points
- The coalition is urging the Federal Government to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
- The gas leak has triggered several fires and explosions, and residents have reported respiratory problems, vomiting, and other illnesses.
- The coalition is calling for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak is identified and the affected areas declared safe.
