The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is to commence oil explorations in the Lake Chad Basin of Borno state.
According to NNPC, the commencement was facilitated with the restoration of relative peace in basin by Nigerian Army.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timiprye Sylva disclosed this Thursday, after meeting with Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Commander of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf held at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
“The NNPC has seen a lot of prospects in Chad Basin to commence exploration and drilling activities,” he said, adding that; that is why the corporation is collaborating with Army to resume oil explorations.
He said the collaboration, was to ensure that security is being provided for oil exploration and drilling activities to commence very soon in the basin.
While commending Army restore peace, he said: “The Army has done a great job. They continue to perform in the Northeast.
He noted that without troops’ gallant activities; they will not also be leaving safely anywhere else to attend yesterday’s (Thursday) meeting with army.
He continued; “We wanted to commence exploration and drilling activities there, because we believe that there is relative peace in this area enough for us to continue drilling activities in northeast.
“As you may well know, we have found oil in Gombe State and we believe that there is a lot oil to be found in Chad Basin