NEMA steps in as gas seepage hits Rivers, Delta communities

Abdullateef Fowewe

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has intervened in gas seepage incidents affecting communities in Rivers and Delta States, providing relief materials and coordinating technical assessments.

According to a statement from the agency, NEMA “has provided emergency responses to the gas seepage incidents in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, through the provision of humanitarian assistance, technical assessments and coordinated engagement with relevant stakeholders.”

In Rivers State, NEMA distributed relief items to affected residents in Bille after assessing the impact of the seepage.

The Head of the Port Harcourt Operations Office, Chidi Ogundu, represented Director-General Zubaida Umar at the exercise.

He also paid a courtesy visit to the King of Bille Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Igbikingeri Ngowari Cornelius, to convey the agency’s solidarity.

Ogundu told community members that the intervention aimed “at alleviating the immediate humanitarian needs of affected residents through the provision of essential food supplies and other relief materials.”

Stakeholders including the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Red Cross Society joined the distribution.

In Delta State, NEMA led a multi-stakeholder technical mission to Uzere Kingdom from 3rd to 4th November 2026.

Dr Godwin Tepikor, Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, represented the Director-General.

The agency described the actions in both states as reflecting “NEMA’s integrated approach to disaster management, which combines humanitarian assistance, technical assessments, inter-agency coordination and sustained engagement with affected communities.”