Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has raised fresh concerns over alleged gas emissions in Bille Kingdom, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the death of a 29-year-old resident who sustained burns in a gas explosion.
The organisation said the victim, identified as Ms Joy Amos, died on Tuesday, September 22, after she was transferred from Bille to Port Harcourt for further medical treatment.
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In a statement, CAPPA described the death as a serious consequence of what it called an ongoing environmental and public health emergency in the community.
The organisation said the explosion occurred on September 3 at about 8 a.m. in a room occupied by Ms Amos at No. 18, Opu Ibiila Community, setting part of the building on fire, shattering windows and leaving her with extensive burns.
CAPPA said Ms Amos initially received treatment at a private clinic in Bille for about nine days before she was transferred to Port Harcourt on September 12.
According to the organisation, the transfer followed a call from a person identified by community members as Dr Ndubisi Akpu, who reportedly claimed to be calling from the Ministry of Health and said the government would take over her treatment.
CAPPA called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Amos’s death, including an autopsy, particularly in view of the reported environmental conditions at the site of the explosion.
The organisation also alleged that the room where the explosion occurred continued to produce a gas-bubbling sound beneath the cemented floor, accompanied by a gas-like odour.
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CAPPA said its field observations in Bille on July 6 found what it described as gas emissions from wells, boreholes, residential compounds, waterways and school grounds. It added that government investigations had reportedly detected elevated levels of methane, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, as well as groundwater contamination and poor air quality.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as inadequate public information and emergency response measures, saying residents needed clear information on the source of the emissions and measures to protect them from further exposure.
CAPPA also raised concerns over other reported incidents in the community, including the collapse of a resident and a teacher, as well as two household fires in August and September.
The organisation said some residents were reportedly collecting the emerging gas for use in generators, while others were digging around their homes in search of gas outlets for domestic energy purposes. CAPPA warned that such activities could expose residents to explosions, poisoning and other hazards.
CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, called on the authorities to treat the situation as an emergency and establish a coordinated response involving relevant government agencies and independent experts in environmental science, medicine, public health and emergency safety.
The organisation urged the Federal and Rivers State Governments and relevant regulatory and emergency agencies to undertake comprehensive hazard mapping, provide medical care for affected residents, conduct continuous air, water and soil testing, and evacuate households, schools and public facilities found to be in unsafe locations.
CAPPA also called for the immediate suspension of unsafe gas collection and use, provision of alternative energy sources for affected households, proper documentation of reported incidents, and direct participation of Bille residents in investigations and remediation efforts.
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The organisation further demanded that authorities publicly identify the institutions coordinating the response and provide a clear timetable for investigation, medical intervention, social support and evacuation where necessary.
CAPPA said once the source of the emissions is established, authorities should undertake comprehensive remediation and ensure appropriate compensation for affected residents, while determining accountability in accordance with the law.