A coalition of civil society and advocacy organisations in the Niger Delta has called on relevant federal agencies to urgently address an ongoing underground hydrocarbon eruption in Bille community, Rivers State, describing the situation as an environmental and public health emergency.
The groups, Social Action, Agape Birthrights, and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)—made the appeal after visiting affected sites of gas bubbling and eruptions in the community on Saturday.
The Executive Director of Social Action, Mr Isaac Osuoka, said the phenomenon, first discovered in October 2025, had continued unchecked, posing serious risks to both the environment and local livelihoods.
He described the situation as one requiring immediate government attention to protect residents and prevent further ecological damage.
“Environmental protection and petroleum oversight agencies nationwide should rise to the occasion. Meaningful steps should be taken immediately to safeguard the people,” he said.
Osuoka urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to take the lead in coordinating an urgent response, while calling on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to investigate the cause and recommend lasting solutions.
Environmental and human rights activist, Ann Kio-Briggs, also expressed concern, warning that the gas emissions observed in water bodies within the community pose significant health hazards to residents.
She noted that limited intervention had been recorded since the issue was first identified several months ago.
“The development has left the residents exposed to hazardous environmental conditions and worsening public health risks,” she said.
Kio-Briggs urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to move swiftly to halt the eruption, provide access to safe drinking water, and support affected communities.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (Eastern Zone), Mr Datolu Sukubo, criticised what he described as prolonged inaction by responsible authorities, calling it a disservice to the people.
He stressed the need for a thorough scientific investigation to determine the root cause of the gas leakage and guide remediation efforts.
A community representative, Depriye Igani of the Bille clan, said residents were already struggling with access to clean water and food security as fishing activities had been severely disrupted.
He warned that many families dependent on fishing for survival were now facing hardship.
“We urge the Federal Government, oil companies and regulatory agencies to urgently intervene, there is need for lasting solutions to this issue,” he said.
The groups collectively insisted that only immediate and coordinated intervention by federal agencies, oil operators, and environmental regulators would prevent further suffering and environmental degradation in the affected community.
