Rivers
Rivers Community Cries Out Over Gas Leakages
Residents of Tombia Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on the state government, the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), and the Nigerian Agip Oil to come to their aid following a gas leakage in the community.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, they said the gas leakage, which occurred on Saturday, the 20th of January, had within few days caused great damages to residents and the environment.
Chief Alabo Onimite Abbey, Secretary, Tombia Council of Chiefs, said the gas leakage has negatively impacted on their environment, especially the local source of livelihood.
“Last Saturday, at about 7:30pm, I was called by the DSS boss, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, that there was a gas explosion in my community. I told him I wasn’t aware. With this information, I had to quickly respond to the information and I went home.
“When I got home, I was taken to the area. It was a gas leakage, right in the river. This means it has spoilt most of our aquatic lives. Fishes are no longer alive, as well as periwinkle, tilapia fish and the rest of them. And as a result, we cannot go fishing any longer.
“So, we are pleading with the companies that own the leaking gas pipeline facility to swing into action and fix the problem”, Abbey said.
Also speaking, Vincent Simeopiri Abbey, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Tombia Community, called for immediate intervention by NLNG as well as relevant agencies to save further destruction of the environment by the incident.
According to him, in order to halt further damage that will be caused by the gas leakage, “NLNG knows the impact of gas leakage into the open space, particularly at the place where it occurred.
“NLNG does not need further education of the impact of gas leakage into the environment, they all know. The last time I spoke with them they said they’re going to check in their control room to ascertain the root cause of the leakage. But since then we have not heard from them.
“We are using this medium to tell the world what we are facing. Everybody knows that any little spark can cause huge fire that can exterminate the entire community as well as the environment”, he said.
Similarly, Comrade Owen Igbikialabo, the Youth President, Tombia Kingdom, said he personally reported to NLNG about the gas leakage incident immediately it was spotted.
He said last week he used the medium to call on the State Government to intervene in order to save lives and properties in Tombia.
“I personally called NLNG control room to report the situation. They’re yet to take care of the gas leakage incident.
“We are calling on Rivers State Government, the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to intervene. This is a very serious issue, it can cause fire outbreak in the entire creek and burn off the habitats”, he said.
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Agip Oil company and other relevant bodies proved abortive as at press time.
By: John Bibor
Niger Delta
Tai Agric Sector Gets Emergency Attention …As Chairman Distributes Farm Inputs, Inaugurates Technical Team

The Chairman of Tai Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Matthew Nenu Bari Dike has declared a state of emergency in the agriculture sector of Tai local government.
Speaking while distributing farm implements and other agricultural support packages to the farmers at the council’s headquarters in Saakpenwa, yesterday, Dike challenged farmers to show their farms before requesting for financial assistance.
The council boss stated that as a government, they were committed to putting smiles on the faces of the people and assured that his administration would ensure that every person in the local government is happy.
“As a government we want to assure you that, we will stop at nothing to ensure you all are empowered and living happily”.
According to him, “the gesture is aimed at enhancing food production and security through agriculture, and enjoined all lovers of agriculture in the local government area to identify with the quest to redefine development through agriculture in the local government.
He encouraged everyone to cultivate the passion and return to agriculture, to guarantee self-reliance, maximum food production and security in the area.
His administration, he said, would purchase more yam seedlings in order to get greater production to encourage exportation beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“A boost in yam production will also empower farmers in the Local Government Area”, the elated chairman said.
In a related development, the Chairman has inaugurated a five, member Agricultural Technical Committee for the Local Government Area.
The committee is made up of Pst. Anderson Wariboko, Barr. Paul Newman,, Smith Nyor-Ue, Gladys Jumbo and Dr Keke Rammyson
Also speaking, the Director of Agriculture, Tai Local Government Area, Mr Anderson Wariboko revealed that the event was part of activities to mark the chairman’s 100 days in office.
Wariboko who led the chairman, and other leaders of the council on the distribution of the farm inputs to the farmers, was full of praises for the chairman, Hon. Dike whom he said has the interest of the people at heart.
Kiadum Edookor
Rivers
Moremonee Appointment Rivers Man As Brand Rep
Rivers
Group Faults Shell In Ogale, Bille Environmental Pollution
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Jonathan’s Kinsmen Pass Confidence Vote On Tinubu … Praise President On Ogbuku’s Reappointment
-
Politics4 days ago
Diri’s 5th Anniversary: Otu Hails Bayelsa Gov’s Achievements In Office
-
Sports4 days ago
NSC Inaugurates LOC For 14th Africa Armwrestling Championship
-
Sports4 days ago
NSC Commends NSSF, NCF Others On Impressive Performance
-
News4 days ago
Why FCT Minister Should Work With Fubara
-
Nation4 days ago
Association Tasks Fubara On Rumuwoji Market Phase Three
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Tai Agric Sector Gets Emergency Attention …As Chairman Distributes Farm Inputs, Inaugurates Technical Team
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Commissioner Charges NYSC Members On Opportunities In Edo