Reps Committee Critiques Regulators Over Gas Seepage

The House of Representatives Committee on the South South Development Commission criticized the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) for their inadequate response to a gas seepage in Billy Community, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, which has lasted for nearly eight months. During an investigative hearing in Abuja, lawmakers expressed concern over the environmental and public health emergency faced by residents, who reported air pollution, contaminated water sources, and disrupted economic activities.

The seepage has allegedly rendered boreholes unsafe and crippled local fishing and farming, leading to fears of explosions and long-term health issues. The committee, led by Hon. Julius Pondi, emphasized the need for all relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and the Rivers State Government, to provide information on emergency responses and remediation efforts, noting their absence at the hearing deprived the committee of critical insights.