In Bille, Rivers State, SSDC distributes relief supplies
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Trust
The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has distributed essential goods in Bille, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, which has been hit by gas leaks that have contaminated groundwater and wells. According to its managing director, Usoro Akpabio, 86 categories of items have been provided, in line with a directive from President Bola Tinubu, according to Daily Trust.
The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has distributed humanitarian aid to residents of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria, according to Daily Trust. The area is suffering from gas leaks and methane emissions that have contaminated groundwater, rivers and wells. The commission’s managing director, Usoro Akpabio, said the organisation will not abandon the residents. In total, 86 categories of food and non-food items were provided, including rice, beans, garri, mattresses, mosquito nets and baby nappies.
Akpabio described Bille as an important economic hub in Rivers State and the South-South region, whose activities have been disrupted by the leaks. She said the intervention responds to a directive from President Bola Tinubu and complements the efforts of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as well as those of the state emergency agency and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Bennett Okpoke, chairman of the Bille council of chiefs, welcomed the aid but called on the federal and Rivers State governments to urgently address the cause of the crisis. Chidi Ogundu, NEMA’s head for Bayelsa and Rivers States, said an environmental impact assessment had been carried out and revealed significant negative effects.
