The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed relief materials to residents affected by gas seepage in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, as concerns over the incident and its potential health implications persist.
The intervention, carried out through NEMA’s Port Harcourt Operations Office, is aimed at providing immediate humanitarian assistance to residents affected by the incident.
The exercise commenced with a courtesy visit to the King of Bille Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Igbikingeri Ngowari Cornelius. The delegation, representing NEMA’s Director-General, Hajiya Umar, was led by Chidi Ogundu, who conveyed the agency’s message of sympathy to the monarch and the people of the kingdom.
The delegation subsequently proceeded to Bille Community, where the relief materials were presented to community executives and leaders for distribution to affected residents. Measures were put in place to ensure an orderly and transparent distribution process.
Representatives of the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (RISEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other relevant stakeholders were present during the exercise.
Community leaders commended NEMA and its Director-General for the intervention, noting that the relief materials would help alleviate the hardship faced by residents following the gas seepage.
They, however, called for medical outreaches to identify and address potential health complications associated with prolonged exposure to the gas.
The gas seepage, which reportedly began more than three months ago, is yet to receive a lasting solution from the Federal Government, raising concerns among residents over the possible health and environmental consequences.
Investigations into the incident are reportedly ongoing, involving the Federal Ministry of Gas, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), as well as relevant partners and operators.
Meanwhile, residents continue to appeal for urgent government intervention to stop the seepage, provide medical support for potentially affected persons and implement lasting measures to safeguard the health and well-being of the community.
