PORT HARCOURT – Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday assured residents of Bille community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of urgent government intervention over the persistent gas leak and environmental pollution threatening lives and livelihoods in the area.
The governor gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of peaceful protesters from the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative (PCCEI) and the Lekeh Development Foundation (LDF) at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Fubara said his administration would immediately look into the concerns raised by the protesters, describing the environmental crisis as one that deserves urgent attention.
He acknowledged the devastating impact of the gas leak on the environment, public health and the economic survival of residents, many of whom depend on fishing and farming for their livelihood.
The governor also praised the protesters for choosing dialogue instead of violence despite the hardship caused by the pollution.
“Let me commend this delegation for toeing the path of peace. From what you listed here, it was enough for you to embark on a violent demonstration because when people can no longer drink water, fish or carry out their legitimate businesses because of pollution, it calls for serious concern. But you chose the path of peace,” Fubara said.
He assured the protesters that the Rivers State Government would not ignore their plight.
“Be assured that the Rivers State Government has a responsibility to protect the lives and property of our people, and this is not an issue that will be swept under the carpet,” he added.
Fubara stressed that environmental protection remains one of the priorities of his administration, noting that preserving the ecosystem is vital to sustaining the occupations of people living in the state’s riverine communities.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Coordinator of the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative (PCCEI), Mr. Courage Nsirimovu, said the gas leak had created a severe environmental and public health emergency in Bille community.
Nsirimovu noted that the challenge extends beyond Bille, adding that communities such as Rukpokwu, Ebubu and Elelenwo are also battling pollution linked to oil and gas activities.
He called for the immediate relocation of residents from the polluted environment and demanded transparency in the management and disbursement of remediation funds provided under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The protesters urged both the Rivers State Government and relevant federal agencies to take urgent steps to contain the gas leak, remediate the affected environment and safeguard the health and livelihoods of impacted communities.
