President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will soon commence deeper
search for oil and gas in the Benue Trough.
This, he said, is the next step following the commencement of
drilling in the Kolmani River area, located within Bauchi and Gombe
States.
The Presidents Senior Special Assistant on
Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari
announced this on Wednesday while addressing traditional rulers at the
Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, Benue.
President Buhari directs NNPC to extend exploration to 6 basins in the country
President Buhari recalled that as Minister of
Petroleum in the 70s, he had seen very interesting seismic surveys that
promised oil and gas from the Chad Basin through the Benue Trough down
to the Delta region.
He said for mostly commercial reasons, investment was directed to the Niger Delta given the promise of quicker results.
He narrated past efforts by him as Military
Head of State to diversify the countrys sources of oil to strengthen its
unity, promising that his administration would intensify efforts in
this direction.
President Buhari welcomed the observation by
the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, that peace had been restored to Benue
following the containment of farmers and herders clashes as well as the
fact the President had so far conducted decent and peaceful campaign.
President Buhari directs NNPC to extend exploration to 6 basins in the country2
The President promised to look at requests for more roads, bridges and tertiary institutions made by the royal father.
Earlier, the Tor Tiv had expressed
appreciation to President Buhari, for the way and manner you have
conducted peaceful campaign, no riots, no violence, setting good
example.
We had a challenging time in 2016.
Thanks for your intervention, for accepting our appeal to step up
security. Operation Whirl Strike has succeeded in chasing away violent
herders.
He also called for a closer look at the border to stop criminals and bandits from crossing into Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari meets with newly-appointed Group
Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC), Ibe Kachikwu and Chairman/Managing Director of Exxonmobil
Nigeria, Nolan O’Neal in Abuja on August 4, 2015.
In his remarks, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue called for free and fair elections, urging all contestants to abide by the outcome.
He told the President that, We believe you are a man of integrity and you keep your words.
I will like to believe that you will not do anything to truncate our democracy.
