The Federal Government has stepped into the worsening environmental situation in Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Gas Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, on Wednesday met with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and leaders of the affected community over months of persistent gas emissions that have continued to pose serious environmental and public health risks.
He assured them that the Federal Government is committed to addressing the prolonged gas emissions that have disrupted normal life in the coastal community.
The minister came to personally lead efforts to find a lasting solution to the prolonged gas emissions that have disrupted normal life in the coastal community of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area.
The visit follows growing concerns over persistent gas emissions that have resulted in environmental degradation, air pollution, and increasing fears for the health and safety of people living in the affected communities.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with Governor Fubara and leaders of Bille Community, the minister assured them that the safety of the people remains the Federal Government’s number one priority.
Ekpo pleaded with the people to be patient, adding that the government is not silent on the matter.
The Petroleum minister proceeded to Bille Community after the meeting, also disclosed that the Federal Government had agreed to address all the requests tabled by leaders of the community at the closed-door meeting.
As efforts intensify to find a lasting solution to the environmental problem, stakeholders say sustained collaboration among the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government, host communities, and industry operators will be crucial to resolving the environmental crisis and ensuring the protection of public health, the environment, and the livelihoods of the people of Bille Kingdom.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
