Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has secured a commitment from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to resume oil exploration activities in the state, while expressing concern over delays in the upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.
The commitment was made on Wednesday when Governor Zulum received a delegation of NNPCL top management, led by the Chairman of the Board, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, in Maiduguri.
The meeting focused on energy development, the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin and the completion of the emergency power plant project.
Speaking during the meeting, Zulum highlighted the strategic importance of resuming oil exploration in Borno, noting that the state has significant commercial potential and shares borders with three countries.
The governor expressed optimism that renewed exploration efforts by the national oil company would help unlock the state’s hydrocarbon resources, attract investment, create economic opportunities and accelerate development.
However, Zulum expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, a critical infrastructure project expected to improve electricity supply in the state.
He noted that despite all the necessary materials having been available at the project site for about two years, the upgrade remained incomplete.
The governor called on the NNPCL management to intervene and remove the obstacles delaying the project, stressing that the facility was essential to the socio-economic well-being of residents of Maiduguri and surrounding communities.
Responding, the leader of the NNPCL delegation assured the governor that the company was prepared to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration activities in the Borno Basin.
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He also pledged that the company would address the challenges hindering the completion of the emergency power plant, while commending Zulum for his continued support and efforts to create a favourable environment for investment in the state.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
Members of the NNPCL delegation included Mr Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream, and Mr Olalekon Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, among other officials.
The proposed resumption of oil exploration is expected to renew attention on the petroleum potential of the Borno Basin, while the governor’s appeal for the timely completion of the emergency power plant highlights the state’s efforts to improve electricity supply and support economic activities.
