Abuja, Oct 14, 2016 – As part of concerted efforts to shore up the Oil and Gas reserve base of the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has embarked on a more rigorous exploration of the Gongola and other frontier inland basins of Nigeria using latest technology.
The technology is similar to the ones used by neighbouring countries that have led to successful discovery of oil.
Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru made this disclosure when he paid separate visits to the Governors of Bauchi State, Barr. Mohammad Abubakar; Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo and the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness, Alh. Rilwanu Adamu, as well as the Emir of Gombe, Alh. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, on Thursday.
Dr. Baru stated: “In strict compliance to President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate, NNPC has therefore commenced activities in the Gongola Basin by awarding the contract for seismic data acquisition of over 500KM2 3D seismic data in the first instance. NNPC is deploying state of the art technology in the present data acquisition and we are confident that these efforts will lead to clearer definition of the prospectively of the basin.”
The GMD maintained that the seismic data acquisition activities and exploration well drillings will bring about employment opportunities for the youths stressing that when successful, the multiplier effects will contribute to the economic empowerment of the surrounding communities and the nation at large.
He revealed that as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the Corporation is in the process of awarding the Environmental Baseline Studies (EBS) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.
“As a responsible corporate organization, NNPC will carry out some projects under its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme (CSR) towards ensuring sustainable community development,” Dr. Baru assured.
In their separate remarks, the Bauchi State Governor and his Gombe State counterpart, Barr. Abubakar and Gov. Dankwambo applauded the President for the pragmatic move to rigorously commence exploratory activities in the Gongola Basin and other Frontier Inland Basins stressing that the move will further grow the nation’s oil and gas reserves.
“I want to assure you of the unflinching support of Bauchi State and its good people towards this project. We are ready to provide offices and accommodation for all NNPC staff that will work on this project,” Barr. Abubakar assured.
Gov. Dankwambo said: “Already, we have assigned two ministries that will work with your team on this laudable project. I will work with my colleague Governors in the North East to galvanize support from our people towards this project.” He also called on the media to support this renewed oil search in the area.
Giving their royal endorsements, the Emirs of Bauchi and Gombe reassured the Federal Government of their readiness to support the project and mobilize their subjects against interrupting the smooth operation of the exploratory activities in their domains.
