Bille Gas Eruption Crisis Deepens as Kebetkache, CSOs Demand Urgent Government Intervention in Rivers Community
A growing environmental crisis in Bille Kingdom, Rivers State, has continued to raise concern among civil society organisations, environmental advocates, and community stakeholders as residents battle the devastating impact of an underground gas eruption that has persisted for nearly a year.
PulseNets learnt that representatives of Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, alongside leading advocates, civil society organisations, movement groups, and other critical stakeholders, recently visited the affected community to assess the situation and engage directly with residents whose lives and livelihoods have been severely disrupted.
During the visit, the delegation toured impacted areas across the kingdom, interacted with affected residents, and documented the extent of environmental degradation caused by the prolonged gas eruption. With the support of local and international media organisations, firsthand accounts of the crisis were gathered as community members narrated their experiences and concerns.
PulseNets obtained that the assessment team also delivered relief materials and medical supplies to vulnerable residents. In addition, a free medical outreach programme was conducted to provide healthcare support to families grappling with the effects of the ongoing environmental emergency.
Despite the humanitarian intervention, stakeholders stressed that emergency relief alone cannot address the deepening crisis facing the riverine community. Residents, according to findings obtained by PulseNets, continue to express frustration over what they described as prolonged silence, neglect, and the lack of a coordinated response from relevant government authorities and oil companies connected to the area.
In a statement issued following the visit, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre raised fresh concerns over the worsening situation and called for urgent action.
“Bille is burning.”
“Bille is unsafe.”
“And Bille cannot continue to wait!”
The organisation called for immediate intervention to address the crisis, including a comprehensive environmental assessment, access to clean and safe drinking water, livelihood restoration programmes, adequate compensation for affected residents, and a permanent solution to the underground gas eruption.
Kebetkache further reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the people of Bille Kingdom and amplifying their concerns until meaningful action is taken.
“Kebetkache stands with Bille, and we will continue to amplify their voices until justice is done. Communities should not be abandoned in moments of crisis. Environmental justice must be real, not rhetorical!”
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The prolonged gas eruption in Bille Kingdom has continued to draw attention to broader concerns surrounding environmental justice, community safety, and corporate accountability in the Niger Delta, with stakeholders urging authorities to act swiftly before the situation deteriorates further.
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