By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) commences petroleum products exploration in the Lake Chad Basin following the relative peace that is gradually returning to Borno state.
Equally, the NNPC he said,has found oil in GOMBE state in the Northeast region.
The commencement, according to the petroleum minister of state, Chief Timiprye Silver, was facilitated by the Nigerian Army.
The of State for Petroleum 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.
He said the NNPC has seen a lot of prospects in Chad Basin warranting the commencement of exploration and drilling activities, stressing that, they are collaborating with Army to ensure that adequate security is provided.
He used the occasion to commend the Army for restoring peace in the basin, as he said, “The Army has done a great job in the Northeast noting that without the troops’, exploration activities will not be possible including the just concluded meeting last Thursday.
“We have concluded arrangements to commence exploration and drilling
activities, as there is relative peace now, more so, that we have also found oil in Gombe state and we believe that there is a lot of oil in the Chad region”, he disclosed.