The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has pledged to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin, while Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has criticised the two-year delay in upgrading the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.
The commitments followed a meeting between Zulum and the NNPCL management team, led by its Board Chairman, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
The discussions focused on reviving oil exploration in the state and addressing delays in completing the power plant upgrade, which the governor described as critical to improving electricity supply in Maiduguri and neighbouring communities.
Zulum said resuming exploration in the Borno Basin was strategically important, given the state’s hydrocarbon potential and its geographical location bordering three countries.
He expressed optimism that renewed exploration would attract investment, stimulate economic growth and create employment and business opportunities for residents.
However, the governor expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work on the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, noting that the project remained incomplete despite the availability of necessary materials at the site for about two years.
He urged the NNPCL management to intervene urgently and remove the bottlenecks delaying the project, stressing that its completion would strengthen electricity supply and support commercial and economic activities across the state capital and surrounding areas.
Responding, Kida assured the governor that the company would accelerate efforts to resume oil exploration in the Borno Basin and address the challenges hindering the completion of the power plant upgrade.
He also commended Zulum for his continued support and efforts to create a conducive environment for investment in the state.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe; and other senior state government officials.
Other members of the NNPCL delegation included the Executive Vice-President, Upstream, Mr Udy Ntia, and the Executive Vice-President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr Olalekon Ogunleye.
