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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved immediate relief measures for residents of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area following ongoing gas emissions affecting the community.
During a working visit to the area on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the governor—represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma—reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing the environmental challenges that have persisted since November 2025.
As part of the intervention, the state government released ₦100 million to provide potable water and essential medical services for affected residents, aimed at easing the immediate impact of the situation.
Wokoma conveyed the governor’s concern for the health and well-being of the people, noting that although Fubara could not attend personally due to official engagements, he remains fully informed and determined to resolve the crisis.
He assured the community that the current support is only a temporary measure, adding that the government is working toward identifying and addressing the root cause of the gas emissions in both land and water sources.
The governor also urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while continuing to support government efforts, emphasizing his administration’s track record in fulfilling its commitments.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Council of Chiefs in Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, commended the state government for the visit, describing Fubara as a responsive leader attentive to the plight of the people.
Dokubo, however, raised concerns over the severity of the environmental condition, describing the gas emissions as hazardous to human health. He noted that parts of the river and surrounding environment were bubbling and emitting strong odours, a phenomenon he described as unusual and alarming.
Governor Fubara, through his representative, also inspected some of the affected sites during the visit, as part of ongoing efforts to assess the situation firsthand and chart a lasting solution.
