 |
| NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru |
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Monday said
it would resume oil exploration activities in the Chad Basin in the next six
weeks.
It said the projection came on the heels of improved
security situation in the North-East region, which has been devastated by the
activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru,
disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Borno State, Kashim
Shettima, and the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar El-Kanemi, in Maiduguri on
Monday.
The corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public
Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, quoted Baru as saying in a statement, “We
have been discussing with military authorities in the area and they have
assured us of improved security. Once they give us the green light, we will
resume operations in the area within six weeks.
“We are also in the state to inform you that in the next six
weeks, we are going to redeploy our team of experts back to Maiduguri to resume
oil exploration with better technology in the Lake Chad Basin.
“This is necessary with our renewed efforts in harnessing
oil, gas and power to increase the economy of the nation in line with the
agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari on job creation and economic
diversification.”
The GMD, who was represented by the Chief Operating Officer,
Gas and Power, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, informed the governor that the NNPC was keen
on increasing its production from 1.9 million barrels per day to three million
bpd, as well as increasing its oil and gas reserves.
This target, according to Baru, necessitated the exploration
for more oil within and across some of the nation’s inland basins.
He commended the efforts of the federal and state
governments in the area of peace restoration, reconstruction and
rehabilitation, stressing that as a responsible corporate citizen, the
corporation was ready to provide support in that regard.
At the Shehu’s palace, Baru sought the support of the
traditional ruler, especially in the area of host community understanding of
the resumption of oil exploration activities in the state.
The statement noted that the corporation presented relief
items to the traditional ruler for onward delivery to the internally displaced
persons in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Shettima said the insurgency had
taken a huge toll on the North-East region, leading to the loss of over $9.6bn,
with Borno State alone losing about $5.6bn.
“We need your support in our reconstruction and
rehabilitation efforts so that when the history of the new Borno is written,
the NNPC’s name will be written in gold,” the governor stated.
0 comments:
Post a Comment