The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), as part of its ongoing oil exploration efforts in the nation's interior basins, plans to spud the nation's first oil well in Nassarawa state in March 2023.
When the Governor of the State, Abdullahi Sule, led a team of renowned indigenes of the state on a courtesy visit to the NNPC Ltd. in Abuja, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Malam Mele Kyari, revealed this.
The results of exploratory activities, according to a statement released on Friday by Mr Garbadeen Muhammad, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., indicated the existence of significant hydrocarbon resources in the state, according to Kyari.
As investments in fossil fuels have decreased as a result of the global energy transition, he urged swift action on the project.
“This work must be done very fast because the whole world is walking away from fossil fuel due to the energy transition.
“The earlier you go to market, the better for you, otherwise, 10 years from now, no one will agree to put money in the petroleum business except it comes from your cash flow,’’ he said.
Kyari described community support and a conducive environment as key to a successful operation in the area in order to avoid the experience of the Niger Delta.
In his response, the governor congratulated the GCEO on the successful commencement of oil production and the Kolmani Integrated development project which was inaugurated in Nov. 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
‘’I want to congratulate you, the management of NNPC and the federal government for what you have done at Kolmani, for those who don’t know what you have done for Nigeria, you have written your name in gold,’’ Sule stated.
He commended President Buhari for his support while assuring the NNPC of a conducive environment.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and first executive governor of the State, Dr Abdullahi Adamu, and his predecessor, Senator Tanko Almakura.
Others are the Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Muhammad, and Chairman of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mallam Isa Modibo, among others.
(NAN)