Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has secured a commitment from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration activities in the state.
The commitment was given on Wednesday when Governor Zulum received a high-powered NNPC delegation led by the Chairman of the Board, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, in Maiduguri. Discussions focused on the resumption of exploration in the Borno Basin and the delayed upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.
Speaking during the meeting, Zulum emphasised the strategic importance of resuming oil exploration in Borno, noting that the state possesses enormous commercial potential and shares borders with three countries, giving it significant opportunities for cross-border trade and economic development.
The governor expressed concern over the prolonged delay in upgrading the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, disclosing that the necessary materials had been on site for about two years without the project being completed.
He urged the NNPC management to intervene and resolve the bottlenecks delaying the project, stressing that the plant was critical to improving electricity supply and supporting the socio-economic well-being of residents in Maiduguri and its environs.
According to him, completing the upgrade would help strengthen electricity supply, stimulate economic activities and improve the quality of life of residents.
In his response, Kida assured the governor of the company’s readiness to accelerate efforts towards resuming exploration activities in the Borno Basin and address the challenges hindering the completion of the emergency power plant upgrade.
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He also commended Zulum for his continued support and for creating a conducive environment for investment and energy-sector development in the state.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
Members of the NNPC delegation included Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream; and Olalekon Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, among other top management officials.
