… 943 million barrels targeted
… Zulum, Kyari, Shehu converge in Maiduguri
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday virtually flagged off resumption of oil exploration by the Nigerian Government within the Lake Chad Basin in Borno State, expected to yield 943 million barrels of crude oil.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation Limited, Mele Kolo Kyari, and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, all gathered in Maiduguri while Buhari joined them online from the state house in Abuja.
The ceremony for exploration of “Wadi-B” held at Tuba ward in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
Exploration of Wadi-B initially commenced in 1985 before it was suspended in 1995 to review the nation’s oil exploration policy by the Federal Government.
Tuesday’s ceremony was to flag off the resumption of physical activities with new drilling of the oil field tagged OPL 732.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum expressed Borno State Government’s commitment to the exploration project which he said will create job opportunities and diversify the economy of the state.
Zulum commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the numerous support he rendered to the people and Government of Borno State.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Military, the Police, DSS, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and other paramilitary agencies for their sacrifices in ensuring that peace is achieved in Borno State.
Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kolo Kyari, expressed optimism that the new drilling exercise at Wadi-B will be successful.
He said, “We understood very clearly that we need to understand the basin very well. We need to have a different approach to exploration activities in this very basin and that is why NNPC and her partners decided to embark on a review of all the frontier basins in the country.”
He added, “Now we are much more confident, we believe that this campaign will be successful and that this campaign will take us to the ultimate objective which is to increase the reserves of our country and also create opportunities around us.“
In a goodwill message, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, urged the federal government and all stakeholders involved to ensure the completion of the project.
Highlight of the event was ceremonial unveiling by Governor Zulum on behalf of President Buhari. It was done amid exciting expectations from top government officials and host community members.
