A coalition of rights of groups in the Niger Delta Region, have urged relevant Federal Government agencies to urgently address the issue of underground hydrocarbon eruption in Bille, Rivers.
The groups, Social Action, Agape Birthrights, and Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) made the call after visiting sites of underground gas bubbling and eruption in Bille on Saturday.
The Executive Director, Social Action, Mr Isaac Osuoka, said that the underground gas eruption in Bille was discovered in October 2025.
Osuoka described the eruption as an environmental and public health emergency that required immediate government intervention to safeguard health and the environment.
He said that polluted waters and wetlands had severely affected fishing activities and livelihoods, saying that urgent remediation and stronger regulatory response had become necessary.
“Environmental protection and petroleum oversight agencies nationwide should rise to the occasion. Meaningful steps should be taken immediately to safeguard the people,” he said.
The executive director urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to the lead in the interest of the residents of Bille.
Osuoka also urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to investigate the eruption with a view to proffering lasting solutions.
Ann kio-Briggs, an Environmental and Human Rights Activist, said that the gas bubbles observed in rivers and other water bodies in the community posed grave risks to residents’ health.
Kio-Briggs said that adequate attention had not been given to the issue since it was discovered several months ago
“The development has left the residents exposed to hazardous environmental conditions and worsening public health risks.
“The Federal Government and regulatory agencies should urgently stop the eruption, provide safe drinking water, and support the welfare and survival of the residents,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Datolu Sukubo, the Chairman, IYC, Eastern Zone, described the prolonged inaction of relevant agencies as a ‘disservice’ to the people.
Sukubo said that there was an urgent need for a scientific investigation to determine the root cause of gas eruption in water sources.
Depriye Igani, a representative of Bille Clan, said that residents of the community were already facing difficulties in accessing safe water.
Igani further said that fishing activities had been disrupted, leaving many residents who depended on fishing to languish in hunger.
“We urge the Federal Government, oil companies and regulatory agencies to urgently intervene, there is need for lasting solutions to this issue,” he said.
