Another Gas Explosion Rocks Bille As CAPPA Demands Urgent Government Action
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
For residents of Bille, living above a suspected gas leak has become a frightening reality, with another explosion now leaving a woman severely burned and raising fresh concerns over the safety of the entire community.
The latest blast occurred at about 8 a.m. on Thursday, 3 September, at No. 18, Opu Ibiila Community in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The explosion set part of the house ablaze, shattered its windows and severely burned the occupant, Joy Amos.
Amos said she had repeatedly heard bubbling sounds beneath the floor of her apartment at night.
She recalled being on her bed when she heard a loud “poof”, followed by shattered windows and flames surrounding her. She escaped with her phone and power bank.
The incident came just two weeks after Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) presented its documentary and report, Danger! Bille Is Highly Flammable, warning of worsening gas bubbling and seepage across the community.
CAPPA said it had previously documented emissions from wells, boreholes, homes, waterways and school grounds.
CAPPA is now calling for the immediate suspension of oil and gas activities in and around Bille until the source of the emissions is established and independent experts confirm that the community is safe. It also wants emergency-response teams deployed, residents moved to safe temporary accommodation and air and water quality continuously monitored.
The organisation further called for a transparent investigation involving relevant federal and Rivers State authorities, urgent medical care for Amos, and measures to identify, isolate or decommission unsafe oil and gas infrastructure.
CAPPA Assistant Executive Director Zikora Ibeh said authorities had been warned and urged the government to act before the crisis claims lives.
“Government cannot wait for deaths before acting,” Ibeh said.
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