Bille gas spill: S4C demands transparency, urges NUPRC to disclose Norwegian firm’s mandate
Spaces for Change (S4C) has urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to disclose the identity and terms of reference of a Norwegian firm reportedly engaged to investigate persistent gas seepage in Bille Kingdom, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A statement signed by S4C’s Executive Director, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri on October 28, 2026, said the investigation could help determine the source of the emissions and address concerns about environmental contamination and public safety, but stressed that the process must be transparent, scientifically credible and responsive to affected communities.
S4C said it understood that the Norwegian firm was conducting air, surface and underwater assessments to identify the sources of the emissions and recommend appropriate safety measures.
It called on the NUPRC to publish the firm’s name, technical credentials, methodology, geographical scope, terms of reference and expected completion date.
The organisation also asked the commission to explain how the findings would translate into concrete regulatory action to protect residents and address the environmental crisis.
The reported engagement comes nearly a month after the Fifth National Extractive Dialogue, held in Port Harcourt on September 29 and 30, 2026. The dialogue was convened by S4C in collaboration with the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency.
Held under the theme, “Remediation Before Divestment and Energy Transition: Amplifying the Bille Environmental Crisis,” the event brought together community representatives, civil society organisations, academics and other stakeholders to demand urgent action on the situation in Bille.
According to S4C, persistent reports of gas bubbling and seepage have raised concerns about public safety, water security, environmental contamination, health and livelihoods.
The organisation maintained that repeated investigations would not be sufficient without immediate protective measures, accountability and effective environmental remediation.
It called for the participation of Bille residents and civil society organisations in the investigation, including opportunities to submit evidence, engage with the process and access the findings.
S4C further urged the NUPRC to make the final report and relevant supporting evidence publicly available in a timely manner, subject to legitimate confidentiality and safety considerations.
The organisation also called for immediate assessment and mitigation of any threats to residents, warning that protective measures should not be delayed until the investigation is completed.
It said the NUPRC should establish clear responsibilities, timelines and monitoring arrangements for containment, remediation and accountability in collaboration with NOSDRA and other relevant institutions.
The investigation, S4C added, should establish the nature and source of the emissions, assess potential environmental and public safety risks, and provide an evidence-based foundation for corrective action. It said the conclusions should be supported by documented observations, appropriate technical measurements and laboratory analyses where necessary.
The organisation noted that previous investigations and government-led assessments had reportedly been conducted, making it essential for the NUPRC to confirm the latest engagement and disclose the Norwegian firm’s mandate.
“For Bille, the measure of success is not the commissioning of another investigation, but whether credible evidence leads to safer communities, accountable institutions and environmental recovery,” the statement said.
