‘Nasarawa oil exploration will ensure prosperity, energy security’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the discovery and drilling of crude oil in various parts of the country, including the one  in Nasarawa State, would increase Nigeria’s prosperity and energy security.

He gave the assurance in his virtual message to the spud-in of the Ebenyi-A Well, located in the Middle Benue Trough, in Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State.

According to a statement endorsed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president also said the surrounding communities would particularly benefit from the value created by the exploration and eventual production activities.

The President directed NNPC Limited and its partners to take due care of the environmental consequences of these oil exploration activities and to mitigate the negative effects.

He thanked the government and people of Nasarawa, and the host community, for their support and collaboration towards the success of the exploration campaign.

The president recalled that the commencement of drilling in the Middle Benue Trough is in line with ongoing campaigns for the exploration of crude oil and gas in the nation’s Frontier Basins.

He listed the Chad Basin, Dahomey Basin, Anambra Platform, the Calabar Embankment, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin, Benue Trough as well as the Ultra-Deepwater Niger Delta as areas where NNPC is extending its crude oil exploration.

“This is consistent with the commercial discoveries of hydrocarbons in the Kolmani Area of the Upper Benue Trough.

“I am pleased to note that activities are ongoing to develop the Kolmani petroleum discoveries to commercial production to add to the nation’s considerable hydro-carbon assets.

“I am encouraged by the enormous work done by NNPC Limited to exploit the prospects in the Middle Benue Trough, leading to the event of today.

“I congratulate NNPC Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other partners for their immense contributions towards making this day and this event possible,” he said, directing Governor Abdullahi Sule and Group CEO, NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari to spud on his behalf.

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