Nigerian House Committee demands action on Niger Delta oil and gas crises

The House of Representatives Committee on South-South Development Commission has demanded urgent intervention to address environmental crises in the Niger Delta. During a legislative hearing in Abuja, Committee Chairman Julius Pondi called for immediate solutions to a nine-month gas seepage in the Bille community of Rivers State and an oil spill in the Odidi Federated Community of Delta State that has persisted for over five months.

Technical findings from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) confirmed the presence of hazardous gases in Bille, including hydrogen sulphide, methane, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide. Investigations revealed subsurface gas bubbling in several locations, including a local school that has since been abandoned. Air-quality assessments showed pollutant levels exceeding regulatory thresholds, and laboratory tests detected elevated petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater and surface water.

Chairman Pondi emphasized that these incidents cause severe economic hardship and pose significant risks to health and safety. The committee is seeking comprehensive briefings from the operating companies and regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to establish a time-bound resolution strategy.