03/07/2026
FG Visits Bille Community Over Gas Seepage, Offers Relief to Residents
A Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperike Ekpo; on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 visited Bille Community of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, providing immediate humanitarian support and promising a comprehensive solution to the ongoing gas seepage.
The delegation which included the Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan; and oil and gas operators, visited the Rivers State Governor before proceeding to Bille community.
In his remarks, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, commended the collaborative response of the government, assuring the community that their concerns would receive urgent attention.
In her remarks, the NUPRC Chief Executive, Mrs. Eyesan, reaffirmed the Commission's determination to identifying the source of the seepage through a scientifically comprehensive investigation while ensuring that emergency humanitarian needs are addressed without delay.
"We have carried out preliminary investigations. However, we are carefully managing the situation to prevent further hazards before any intervention. We have engaged an international firm to undertake the final studies, with fieldwork expected to commence before the end of July," she said.