NHRC pledges to address gas leakage concerns in Rivers' Bile community
The National Human Rights Commission NHRC has committed to restoring the livelihoods of residents in Rivers State's Bile community, who are affected by persistent gas leakage. Zainab Hamma, Assistant Chief Investigation Officer of the NHRC, made this assurance in Abuja during a documentary presentation by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa. Representing the Executive Chairman, Hamma stated the NHRC would investigate the community's issues to safeguard residents' lives and livelihoods. This pledge follows ongoing complaints from residents about gas leakage, which has continued despite visits from relevant agencies and environmental assessments. Timothy Agunbiade, Vice President of the Bile Kingdom Youth Foundation, noted that agencies like the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency NOSDRA and the NHRC have visited multiple times, conducting soil and air quality tests, but the leakage remains unresolved. Agunbiade urged the government to prioritize stopping the leakage over providing financial or food aid, emphasizing the need for a permanent solution before discussing remediation. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, called for urgent government action, recommending a binding timetable with clear duties and deadlines for relevant agencies and operators. Gas emissions in Bile have reportedly been occurring since October 2025.
