By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has pledged to resume oil exploration activities in Borno State, while assuring the state government of steps to address delays in upgrading the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.
The commitments were made on Wednesday when Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, received the NNPCL management team, led by the board chairman, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, in Maiduguri.
The meeting focused on energy development, the resumption of oil exploration in the state and the delayed completion of the emergency power plant upgrade.
Zulum stressed the strategic importance of resuming exploration in the Borno Basin, noting that the state had considerable commercial potential and shared borders with three countries.
He expressed optimism that renewed exploration efforts by the national oil company would help unlock the state’s hydrocarbon resources and stimulate economic development.
The governor, however, expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, describing the facility as critical to improving electricity supply in the state.
He said the materials required for the plant’s upgrade had been on site for about two years, yet the project remained incomplete.
Zulum urged the NNPCL management to intervene and remove the bottlenecks delaying the project, stressing that its completion was important to the socio-economic well-being of residents of Maiduguri and neighbouring communities.
Responding, Kida assured the governor of the company’s readiness to fast-track the resumption of exploration activities in the Borno Basin and address the challenges delaying the power plant upgrade.
He also commended Zulum for his continued support and efforts to create a conducive environment for investment in the state.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
Members of the NNPCL delegation included the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mr. Udy Ntia, and the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr. Olalekon Ogunleye.
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