Oil search in the nation’s inland basins received a fresh
impetus following the commencement of exploration activities in the Benue
Trough by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti
Baru, announced this development during a visit to the Governor of Nasarawa
State, Alh. Umaru Tanko Almakura in Lafia today.
Dr. Baru stated that the visit was in fulfillment of the
Presidential mandate which directed NNPC to resume oil exploration activities
in some of the nation’s inland basins which include the Chad Basin and the
Benue Trough.
He said the Presidential mandate was driven by the urgent
need for the Nation to increase its Oil and Gas Reserves, thereby improving
revenue streams and creating more business and employment opportunities for
Nigerians.
Dr. Baru added that the move was also in line with NNPC’s
corporate vision of 12 Business Focus Areas (12 BUFA), informing Governor
Almakura that the NNPC team was in Nasarawa to sensitise the government and
people of the state on the mission.
“I am therefore happy to be personally here to kick-start
the beginning of a high-profile stakeholder engagement towards oil exploration
in the Nasarawa State’s part of the Benue Trough,” he stated.
He assured that as a responsible corporate organization,
NNPC through its Frontier Exploration Services (FES) would do everything
possible to operate peacefully among the people and with much respect to the
environment.
Already, the GMD noted, the Corporation’s Frontier
Exploration Services (FES) had mobilized the Integrated Data Services Ltd
(IDSL), an Upstream arm of the NNPC) to acquire seismic data in the Benue
Trough commencing from the Keana area.
“I am convinced that the success of the results from IDSL’s
seismic data acquisition will lead to the drilling of exploration wells in the
area, which hopefully, would launch Nasarawa state into the league of oil
producing states in the country,” Dr. Baru stated.
He assured that Nasarawa State indigenes would enjoy more
products availability once the Corporation rehabilitates the Makurdi Depot
pipeline which feeds Nasarawa and Benue States with products.
“We have resuscitated Mosimi, Ibadan, Kano and Aba depots.
Once we are done with Aba-Enugu line, we are heading towards Makurdi Depot,”
Dr. Baru added.
Earlier, the governor who expressed delight over the oil
search in his state, assured the GMD of Nasarawa people’s support towards the
oil search in the frontier.
He particularly lauded the GMD for ensuring stability in
products supply and distribution across the country.
“Since your appointment as the GMD, NNPC, I cannot remember
any issue of fuel scarcity surfacing in the country. You are also known by many
for your transparency and accountability which is very crucial in a national
company like the NNPC,” the Governor stated.
Governor Almakura informed the GMD that the state government
had deployed special “environment guards” to safeguard critical national assets
and infrastructure across the state, including the Pipelines Right of Way
(PRoW).
He pledged to direct the Ministries of Land, Physical
Planning as well as Housing & Transport to work with the NNPC team towards
ensuring the success of the oil exploration in the area.
Dr. Baru later paid homage to the Emir of Lafia, Alh (Dr)
Isa Mustapha Mamman Agwai, who assured the NNPC boss of the support of the
traditional rulers in the state towards the success of the exploration
activities in their localities.
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