Reps Criticize Agencies Over Billy Community Gas Leak

The House of Representatives Committee on the South South Development Commission condemned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) for their inaction regarding a gas seepage in Billy Community, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State. This environmental and public health emergency has persisted for nearly eight months, contaminating water sources, polluting the air, and disrupting economic activities.

The committee held an investigative hearing in Abuja, questioning officials about regulatory lapses and delayed interventions. Residents reported that the gas emissions have made boreholes unsafe and have adversely affected fishing and farming, their main livelihoods.

The absence of key stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the Rivers State Government, was criticized, as it hindered the committee's ability to gather information on emergency responses and remediation plans. Committee Chairman Julius Pondi stated that the investigation aims to assess the situation's environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts.