Nigeria, July 2 -- The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says preliminary assessments have shown that the first aquifer in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, has been contaminated following the prolonged toxic gas leak that has affected the area for nearly a year.

In a statement issued on Thursday, NUPRC said its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this on Wednesday during a joint visit to the affected community by a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The delegation, which included officials of the Rivers State Government and oil and gas operators, first paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor...