The House of Representatives Committee on the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has summoned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Government, Degema Local Government Council and representatives of Bille Community over the prolonged gas leak in Rivers State.
The Committee expressed concern over what it described as the slow response to the environmental emergency, noting that nearly nine months after the incident was reported, residents of Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area remain exposed to serious health, environmental and economic risks.
Speaking during an interactive session at the National Assembly, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Julius Pondi, said the investigation aims to determine the cause of the incident, assess the response of relevant agencies and operators, and ensure affected communities receive adequate protection, compensation and environmental remediation.
Pondi stressed that the probe is intended to establish the facts, strengthen environmental governance and promote accountability, rather than apportion blame. He added that the Committee’s findings would inform legislative reforms to prevent similar incidents across the South-South region.
Providing an update, Director of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Cyrus Nkangwung, disclosed that the gas leak, first reported on October 25, 2025, remains active.
He explained that the gas is naturally bubbling from beneath the ground rather than from a known oil facility, making it difficult to identify its source. He added that the agency requested ₦3.4 billion from the Federal Government earlier this year to address the emergency while investigations continue.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, described the situation as unacceptable and called for urgent intervention to protect residents.
Representing the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Joseph Ogunsola said the Commission has been working with relevant stakeholders since becoming aware of the incident in February 2026 to determine the source of the leak and implement containment measures.
The Committee directed all relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts to contain the gas leak, provide immediate relief for affected residents, and prevent future environmental disasters in the Niger Delta.
