Residents of Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday demanded their immediate relocation from their ancestral homes following a prolonged gas leakage they say has triggered an environmental and public health crisis.
The demand was presented to the Rivers State Government during a peaceful protest at Government House, Port Harcourt, by members of the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative (PCCEI) and the Lekeh Development Foundation (LDF).
The protesters, who also called for transparency in the management of remediation funds under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), said the persistent pollution had contaminated water sources, destroyed fishing livelihoods and exposed residents to serious health risks.
Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo, assured the delegation that government would act swiftly to address the situation.
Sirawoo said the state government would not ignore the plight of affected communities, stressing that protecting lives, livelihoods and the environment remained a priority.
He commended the protesters for embracing dialogue despite the hardship caused by the pollution.
“From what you have listed, it was enough to provoke a violent demonstration because people can no longer drink clean water, fish or carry out legitimate economic activities due to pollution. But you chose the path of peace.
“Be assured that the Rivers State Government has a responsibility to protect the lives and property of our people, and this issue will not be swept under the carpet,” he said.
According to him, preserving the environment is essential to sustaining farming and fishing, the main sources of livelihood in the state’s coastal communities.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, Mr Courage Nsirimovu, said the gas leakage had created an ecological emergency in Bille and warned that other communities, including Rukpokwu, Ebubu and Elelenwo, were facing similar environmental challenges.
He urged the government to immediately relocate residents of Bille to safer locations and ensure accountability in the utilisation of funds earmarked for environmental remediation under the PIA.
