Residents Demand Action Over Gas Leak Crisis in Rivers

Residents of Bill Kingdom in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed grave concerns over a six-month gas leak that has severely impacted their health, water sources, and the ecosystem. During a briefing in Port Harcourt, Chief Bennett Okpokiy Dokubo, the chairman of the Bill Kingdom Council of Traditional Rulers, emphasized the need for urgent federal intervention to address the environmental damage.

The community has appealed for the provision of potable water, independent environmental assessments, and mobilization of health services to screen and treat residents exposed to hazardous conditions. The Rivers State government has donated N100 million as a palliative measure, acknowledging the crisis's magnitude.

Chief Luckyman Egila, also from the Bill Kingdom Council, urged international bodies to ensure accountability among oil companies operating in the area. The report highlights the urgent need for a coordinated response to the ongoing environmental and health risks faced by the residents, exacerbated by the lack of accountability from the responsible companies.