Even though the people of Bille in the Akuku-Toru Local Government of Rivers State have been crying in the last few weeks over the harmless effects of gas leakage in their community, the state governor, Sim Fubara only spoke about the matter on Monday, after protesters stormed the seat of power.
He did not speak directly anyway. He spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, when the protesters went to the Government House.
A statement from the Government House on Monday quoted Fubara as making a pledge to take swift action to tackle the gas leakage and environmental pollution affecting the Bille community.
Among those who went to the Government House were members of two non- governmental organisations namely, the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative,(PCCEI), and Lekeh Development Foundation, (LDF).
Fubara commended the protesters for maintaining peace and orderliness in spite of the environmental challenges in their community and the economic hardships the situation has imposed on them.
He acknowledged that the challenges facing the community were enough to provoke violent demonstrations, and commended them for choosing the path of peace, even though he never did or say anything before now.
“Let me commend this delegation for toeing the path of peace. Of course from what you listed here, it was enough for you to start a violent demonstration because a situation where people can no longer drink water, they can’t fish, they can’t carry out some legitimate activities because of pollution, calls for serious action. But you chose the path of peace.
“Be assured that the Rivers State Government has a responsibility to protect the lives and property of our people and this issue is not one that will be swept under the carpet,” he said.
Leader of the protesters and Coordinator of the PIILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, Mr Courage Nsirimovu, had earlier disclosed that the gas leakage had created an ecological and public health crisis in Bille community.
Nsirimovu stressed that Bille was not alone, as several other communities, including Rukporkwu, Ebubu, and Elelenwo were also suffering from similar environmental issues.
They demanded the immediate relocation of the people of Bille from the polluted environment, just as they called for total transparency regarding the application of remediation funds under the Petroleum Industry Act.
