Some Rivers-based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for urgent measures to tackle environmental crisis caused by gas contamination in Bille Community.

The CSOs made the call at a press conference organised by Social Action Nigeria in collaboration with representatives of the Bille Community in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that in October 2025, uncontrollable bubbling of gas was discovered in water sources in Bille Community.

Dr Prince Edegbuo, the Manager, Democracy and Governance, Social Action, said that the issue of water contamination in the community had reached a dangerous level.

“We are holding this press conference with the people of Bille, we are here to amplify their voices, experiences and demands.

“We have released a report on the issue of gas contamination in Bille. The report highlighted long-standing environmental and public health challenges faced by the community,” he said.

Edegbuo said that the situation had led to severe human suffering and widespread contamination of water sources.

“Gas bubbling in wells and other water sources posed serious risks to public health because residents will drink this water and inhale air from the environment,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Bille Kingdom Council of Traditional Rulers, Chief Benneth Okpokiye-Dokubo, said that the crisis needed ‘immediate and adequate response’

Okpokiye-Dokubo stated that although the Rivers State Government donated N100 million for palliative measures, the measure was hugely insufficient.

He said that the magnitude of the crisis required more comprehensive and sustained intervention from government and other stakeholders.

Also speaking, the Secretary, Bille Kingdom Chiefs Council, Luckyman Egila, urged the Federal Government to support the efforts of the state government to provide succur to the community.

Egila said that the protection of citizens’ rights to life, health and safe environment should be given priority attention.

Earlier, the President of Bille Kingdom Youth Council, Mr Omuso Miebaka, stated that the community stood the risk of more serious health and environment crisis if nothing serious was done.

Miebaka also cautioned on the risks of water insecurity and possible fire hazards following the gas accumulation.

Mr Peter Mazzi, the Head, Operations, Social Action, said that the situation required coordinated response to handle.

Mazzi listed the provision of safe drinking water, environmental risk assessments and deployment of mobile health services as some of the immediate measures needed to support the people.