By Gloria Ikibah
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed relief materials to residents affected by gas seepage in Bille Community, Rivers State, while coordinating a technical assessment of a similar incident in Uzere Kingdom, Delta State. 
The interventions, according to the agency, are aimed at addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of affected residents and strengthening coordinated responses to emergencies in the two states.
NEMA disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Head Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, noting that the interventions involved humanitarian assistance, technical assessments and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
In Rivers State, the agency recently distributed relief materials to victims of gas seepage in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area, following an earlier assessment of the incident and its impact on residents.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, was represented at the exercise by the Head of the agency’s Port Harcourt Operations Office, Mr Chidi Ogundu, who coordinated the intervention.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the King of Bille Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Igbikingeri Ngowari Cornelius, during which Ogundu conveyed the Director-General’s sympathy and solidarity with the monarch and the affected community.
Addressing residents during the distribution, Ogundu said the intervention by the Federal Government, through NEMA, was intended to ease the immediate hardship caused by the incident.
He explained that the relief materials, comprising essential food supplies and other items, were provided to support residents affected by the gas seepage.
Representatives of the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (RISEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society and other relevant stakeholders participated in the exercise.
Community leaders expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and NEMA for the assistance, particularly commending Umar for what they described as timely humanitarian support to cushion the hardship experienced by affected residents.
In Delta State, NEMA coordinated a multi-stakeholder technical mission to Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area, from 3 to 4 November 2026, following reports of gas seepage in the community.
The Director-General was represented during the mission by the agency’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr Godwin Tepikor.
The mission formed part of the agency’s efforts to assess the incident and coordinate an appropriate response with relevant stakeholders.
NEMA said the interventions in Rivers and Delta states reflected its integrated approach to disaster management, which combines humanitarian assistance, technical assessments, inter-agency coordination and sustained engagement with affected communities.
The agency reiterated its commitment to supporting communities affected by emergencies and working with relevant authorities to strengthen disaster response and reduce the impact of incidents on vulnerable residents.
