President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, will soon commence “drilling for a deeper search for oil and gas in the Benue Trough.”
The President explained that this was the next step following the commencement of drilling in the Kolmani River area, located within Bauchi and Gombe States.
Buhari made the disclosure while addressing traditional rulers at the Banquet Hall, Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday.
He recalled that as Minister of Petroleum in the 70s, he had seen “very interesting seismic surveys that promised oil and gas from the Chad Basin through the Benue Trough down to the Delta region.”
He said for mostly commercial reasons, investment was directed to the Niger Delta, given the promise of quicker results.
Buhari narrated past efforts by him as a Military Head of State to diversify the country’s sources of oil to strengthen its unity, promising that his administration will intensify efforts in this direction.
The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom in his remarks, called for free and fair elections, urging all contestants to abide by the outcome.
He told the President that, “We believe you are a man of integrity and you keep your words. I will like to believe that you will not do anything to truncate our democracy.”
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