On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari officially opened the Ebenyi-A Exploration Well in the Nasarawa State local government of Obi, which is situated in the Middle Benue Trough.
Buhari warned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) and its partners to take proper care of the environmental consequences of the oil exploration activities and to mitigate the negative effects during his virtual spud-in ceremony of the Well.
Recall that among others, Buhari’s spud-in ceremony was carried out on his behalf by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule and Group CEO of NNPCL Malam Mele Kyari.
Others in attendance included retired Justice Bage Muhammad, the Emir of Lafia, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, the Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and a few royal fathers.
Buhari claimed that the recent oil discovery was consistent with ongoing efforts to explore gas and crude oil in the nation’s Frontier Basins.
“Today’s event officially kicks off drilling operations for exploration in the Middle Benue Trough.
This makes sense given the recent commercial hydrocarbon discoveries in the Kolmani Area of the Upper Benue Trough.
“It gives me great pleasure to report that efforts are currently being made to bring the Kolmani petroleum discoveries into commercial production and thereby increase the sizeable hydrocarbon assets of the country.
In response to the event of today, he said, “I am encouraged by the enormous work done by NNPC Limited to exploit the prospects in the Middle Benue Trough.
The president thanked all of the collaborators, including the NNPCL, the NUPRC, and others, for their significant contributions to making the exploration possible.
He expressed satisfaction with the drilling campaigns’ positive results, which he claimed would increase Nigerians’ prosperity and, in particular, the nation’s overall energy security.
Buhari added that the value generated by the exploration and eventual production activities would benefit the local communities in particular.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Nasarawa government and people, in particular the host community, for their unrestricted assistance and cooperation in making the exploration campaign successful.
