Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says the state government, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and oil and gas operators have agreed on measures to address the gas eruption in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, the governor said the meeting brought together representatives of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, oil and gas operators, and traditional rulers from Bille to chart a lasting solution to the incident.
Gov. Fubara explained that the state government had earlier visited the affected community alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and the operating companies to assess the situation following appeals by residents for urgent intervention.
He said the latest meeting enabled all stakeholders to jointly examine the cause of the gas eruption and agree on practical steps to resolve the problem.
Describing the meeting as productive, the governor expressed confidence that it would lead to concrete actions, noting that the Bille delegation, led by its traditional rulers, welcomed the outcome.
“I can say that it was a very successful meeting because the Bille community, ably represented by their chiefs, are all smiling. It means that the outcome of the meeting was a good one,” Gov. Fubara said.
The governor added that both the Federal Government and the operating companies had assured the community of prompt intervention, expressing optimism that significant remedial work would commence within the next few weeks to bring the situation under control.
Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended Governor Fubara for his support and prompt intervention in addressing the crisis. He also praised the Bille community for its cooperation and assured residents that the Federal Government and the operating companies were committed to implementing remedial measures to mitigate the impact of the gas eruption and ease the hardship faced by the affected people.
