Gov Fubara, FG Unite to Address Bille Gas Leak

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said the state government, the Federal Government and oil and gas operators have agreed on concrete measures to tackle the gas leak in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Fubara said the meeting brought together officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, representatives of oil and gas companies, and traditional rulers from the affected community to chart a lasting solution to the incident.

The governor recalled that the state government had earlier visited Bille alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the operating companies to assess the situation following calls by residents for urgent intervention.

According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity for all parties to review the cause of the gas leak and agree on practical steps to address the environmental and safety concerns arising from the incident.

Fubara described the engagement as fruitful, expressing confidence that the decisions reached would translate into swift action.

“I can say that it was a very successful meeting because the Bille community, represented by its traditional rulers, is satisfied with the outcome. That shows we have made meaningful progress,” he said.

The governor disclosed that both the Federal Government and the operating companies had assured the community of immediate intervention, adding that major remedial work is expected to commence within the next few weeks.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended Governor Fubara for his prompt response and commitment to resolving the crisis.

He also praised the Bille community for its peaceful cooperation throughout the process and assured residents that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the operating companies, would implement the agreed measures to contain the gas leak and minimise its impact on the affected community.