RismadarVoice Reporters, June 29, 2026
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents of Bille community in Degema Local Government Area that his administration will take swift action to address the ongoing gas leakage and environmental pollution affecting the area.
The governor gave the assurance on Monday while receiving peaceful protesters from the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative (PCCEI) and Lekeh Development Foundation (LDF) at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo, Fubara said the government would give immediate attention to the concerns raised, acknowledging the devastating impact of the gas leak on the environment and the livelihoods of residents.
He also commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully despite the environmental and economic hardships facing the community, noting that their decision to embrace dialogue instead of violence was commendable.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Coordinator of PCCEI, Courage Nsirimovu, described the gas leak as an ecological and public health crisis threatening the people of Bille.
Nsirimovu added that other communities, including Rukpokwu, Ebubu and Elelenwo, were facing similar environmental challenges.
He called for the immediate relocation of affected residents and demanded transparency in the implementation of remediation funds under the Petroleum Industry Act.
