The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has confirmed the presence of adequate hydrocarbon in the Sokoto basin, which it said possesses a depth of over 2000m, ideal for effectual oil exploration.
During a workshop on hydrocarbon potential held at the ultra-modern auditorium of Usman Danfodiyo University, being organized by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the NNPC Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru, beckoned on state governments of Sotoko,
Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina, as well as other business firms to grab the opportunity and forward bids towards acquisition of oil blocks.
Baru who was ably represented by the Kaduna Zonal Manager, Aliyu Jafar, said the chief objective of exploration in the inland basins is intended to attract oil and gas investments from both foreign and local firms.
The Director also solicited for the support of traditional institutions and host communities for the actualization of the lofty idea.
At the conference, governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal disclosed that his government was not leaving the NNPC to lead the exploration campaign alone, adding that the state government was conducting its own studies.
Both Tambowal and his Kebbi state counterpart Atiku Bagudu, assured of their unwavering support towards the actualization of oil discovery in the basin.
The guest speaker, Professor Muhammed Abubakar said oil exploration across the country would strengthen national unity.
“Oil has always been there since 1957, when the first attempt was made but with the discovery of oil in the Delta which we believe from the information we have is easier to exploit, there was a shift in focus to that of Niger Delta.
“We believe particularly on the issue of gas, we need it for our local consumption, we have the conviction that what we have in that area is more than sufficient for an upward of 20 to 30 years of use by the people of the area.
“If explored, we don’t have to make pipelines from the Delta region up North to North West states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina, if you do that you will ease the problem of evacuation and transportation or piping as it were of gas and Petroleum products. So it’s a way of providing cheaper services to the people.”
“If you have gas it will support the power supply which will in turn enhance and influence agro-allied industries that are likely to come on board including having a positive impact economically on the lives and well-being of the people that are along the basin. This are some of the issues I discussed with Mr. President.”
In his goodwill message, Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar urged the federal government to channel the revenue generated from oil exploration to develop particularly the agriculture sector.
