Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed its commitment to reactivate oil exploration in Borno State following a recent halt in activities.
The oil exploration firm also pledged to work with the State government and local communities to ensure oil exploration activities in the basin, which comprises seven local councils.
NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Olujari, gave the assurance when its board of directors, led by Ahmadu Musa Kida, Non-Executive Chairman, paid a courtesy visit to Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, at the Maiduguri Government House on Wednesday.
The high-level meeting featured discussions on the company’s proposed oil exploration projects in the state, including a solar power initiative in the basin.
Zulum, therefore, assured the company of the state government’s support, saying that adequate security measures were in place to protect exploration activities.
He disclosed that the suspension of exploration was not due to insecurity, saying that an adequate workforce, including soldiers, police officers, and CJTF, had been deployed to protect the sites and equipment.
The governor said the state government remained committed to working with NNPC but urged the company to honour its initial agreement to supply gas for the operations.
According to him, the gas supply was later discontinued, leading to the suspension of the oil exploration work in the state.
Zulum expressed concern that equipment had remained at the exploration sites for more than two years, saying that upgrading it would facilitate the continuation of operations.
He welcomed the proposed solar power project, stating that additional solar plants could help ease the burden of rising fuel prices on residents.
Members of the NNPCL delegation included the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, and the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekon Ogunleye.