In line with ‘presidential mandate’ for renewed oil search, NNPC to begin exploration in Nasarawa

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has revealed plans to undertake oil exploration activities in Nasarawa State as part of a presidential mandate to resume oil search in some of the nation’s inland basins including the Chad Basin, and the Benue Trough under which the state falls.

According to a statement by the NNPC in Abuja, Group Managing Director of the corporation, Maikanti Baru, made the disclosure during a visit to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-makura in Lafia, the state capital.

Baru stated that the visit was in fulfillment of the presidential mandate directing NNPC to resume oil exploration activities in some of the nation’s inland basins which include the Chad Basin and the Benue Trough.

He added that the presidential mandate was motivated by the urgent need to increase Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves, thereby shoring up revenue and creating more business and employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Baru also revealed that the move was in line with NNPC’s corporate vision of 12 Business Focus Areas (12 BUFA). He informed Governor Almakura that the NNPC team was in Nasarawa to sensitise the government and people of the state on the mission.

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“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 make sure it operates peacefully among the people and with much care towards environment.

Baru noted that the Corporation’s Frontier Exploration Services (FES) had already mobilized the Integrated Data Services Limited (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”, the GMD said.

He promised that Nasarawa State indigenes would enjoy more products availability once the NNPC rehabilitated the Makurdi Depot pipeline which supplied 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”, he disclosed.

Earlier, the governor who expressed delight over the oil search in his state, assured the NNPC of Nasarawa people’s support towards the effort.

He also 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.

Al-Makura 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 promised to direct the ministries of Land, Physical Planning, as well as Housing and Transport to work with the NNPC team towards ensuring the success of the oil exploration in the area.

 

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