. Raise alarm over alleged 11 deaths
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
A coalition of civil society organisations underneath the platform of The People’s Assembly has known as on President Bola Tinubu to declare a nationwide environmental and public well being emergency in Bille Kingdom, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following persistent fuel eruptions in the realm.
The coalition alleged that the eruption which continues to be on as on the time of this report has allegedly claimed 11 lives and uncovered residents to critical well being dangers.
The coalition additionally demanded the fast relocation of residents to safer areas, emergency medical intervention and the discharge of funds to determine and comprise the supply of the fuel leak, which has continued to bubble from creeks, boreholes, hand-dug wells, college grounds and residential compounds.
Speaking at a press convention organised by The People’s Assembly in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre and co-convener of the Assembly, Dr Emem Okon, described the scenario as a looming humanitarian catastrophe requiring pressing federal intervention.
Okon warned that continued authorities inaction may end result in additional lack of lives, stressing that the individuals of Bille shouldn’t be deserted to face a probably catastrophic environmental disaster.
She stated, “This is a national emergency that cannot wait. Gas has been bubbling from the ground and water in Bille for about a year, contaminating the air and threatening the lives of residents. Families can no longer safely cook, drink their water or depend on fishing for their livelihoods.”
According to the coalition, the fuel eruption, which reportedly started round October 2025, has resulted in repeated fires and explosions, with 11 deaths related to the disaster and several other residents reportedly affected by vomiting, respiratory difficulties and different sicknesses.
The group stated impartial monitoring had detected unsafe ranges of methane, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide in the group, elevating considerations in regards to the potential penalties of extended publicity.
It famous that the disaster had disrupted financial and social actions, notably fishing, whereas the contamination of water sources and the rising value of dwelling had worsened poverty amongst residents.
The coalition’s considerations had been contained in an open letter addressed to President Tinubu, the President of the Senate, the Ministers of Health and Environment, and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, amongst different federal authorities.
The letter, issued by The People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, a coalition convened by Social Action and its companions, known as for the institution of a presidential activity drive to research and resolve the disaster.
The group expressed concern that regardless of joint investigation visits by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the supply of the fuel eruption remained unidentified.
It additionally alleged that NOSDRA lacked ample funding to undertake additional investigations, mitigation and remediation.
The coalition disclosed that in a gathering with NOSDRA Director-General, Chief Chukwuemeka Woke, on October 17, 2026, the company acknowledged the monetary constraints affecting its response.
It additional demanded the fast publication of preliminary soil and water check outcomes carried out by the regulatory companies, insisting that residents had a proper to know the substances contaminating their atmosphere.
Dr Prince Edegbuo of Social Action, stated the Federal Government should transfer past investigations and take decisive steps to guard the individuals.
He demanded the momentary relocation of residents, provision of protected shelters, clear ingesting water, meals and healthcare, pending impartial affirmation that the group was protected for habitation.
The coalition additionally known as for emergency funding for NOSDRA, activation of the regional Spill Command Centre and entry to the Upstream Remediation Fund to deal with the disaster.
It urged the federal government to deploy fingerprinting know-how to determine the supply of the fuel, audit energetic, idle and deserted oil wells, pipelines and services inside Oil Mining Leases 18 and 24, and briefly droop oil and fuel operations in the affected areas till the supply was recognized and contained.
Meanwhile, Kentebe Ebiaridor of Oilwatch International known as for stronger accountability in the oil and fuel sector, warning in opposition to the rising apply of worldwide oil firms promoting their onshore belongings with out adequately addressing excellent environmental liabilities.
The coalition additionally demanded that present and former operators of OMLs 18 and 24 be held collectively and severally liable pending the identification of the supply of the fuel eruption, with affected residents adequately compensated.
As a part of its wider environmental justice marketing campaign, The People’s Assembly introduced the launch of its ‘No Clean-Up, No Vote’ marketing campaign throughout the Niger Delta.
Edegbuo stated the marketing campaign would mobilise residents to demand clear, funded and time-bound environmental remediation plans from political events and candidates forward of future elections.
He stated, “The Niger Delta has fed this nation for over seven many years and has misplaced a lot in return. Its individuals have waited lengthy sufficient for guarantees to develop into motion.
“Our message to every political party and candidate is simple: the people of the Niger Delta will support those who present clear and credible plans to clean up polluted communities, protect public health and hold oil companies accountable. Where there is no clean-up, there will be no vote.”
The coalition warned that the Bille disaster may develop into a nationwide safety emergency if left unresolved, urging the Federal Government to deal with it as a precedence somewhat than one other environmental investigation.
It stated resolving the disaster would additionally present a framework for addressing comparable environmental emergencies in communities akin to Uzere, Alakiri, Rumuekpe and Aleto throughout the Niger Delta.
