...Seeks full optimisation of state’s oil, gas potentials
Governor Abdullahi Sule has inaugurated an advisory and technical committee he set up to work towards ensuring that Nasarawa State and its people fully harness the oil and gas potentials of the state.
The governor, while inaugurating the committee at the Government House in Lafia, tasked its members work diligently towards realising sing the mandate of the committee.
According to Governor Sule, a study has shown that the abundant hydrocarbon resources in Nasarawa State if fully exploited, will increase the country’s oil reserves from 37.1 billion barrels to about 50 billion barrels, while also increasing Nigeria’s daily crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day.
The governor said he established the committee to evolve measures towards ensuring collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and all the other stakeholders, including development partners, for seamless implementation of the project and to ensure community participation.
He said the NNPCL had carried out several exploratory activities in the state in 2010, resulting in the discovery of abundant hydrocarbon deposits in Obi and Keana local government areas, following which former President Muhammadu
Buhari commissioned the sput-in of the Ebenyi-A oil well in Obi in March 2023.
“As you are aware, the oil and gas industry has continued to take center stage in the economy of our country. This is in spite of the efforts of the government to diversify into agriculture, solid minerals, and other sectors of the economy as alternative sources of revenue. Available reports indicate that the oil and gas sector contribute 65 percent of the government revenue and really 85 percent of Nigeria’s
foreign exchange earnings.
“It’s for this reason that government and other key actors in the Nigerian economy have continued to prioritise the sector in order to maximise investment opportunities and sustain growth for the benefit of our dear country,” he stated.
“I am happy to state that the discovery of oil and gas and its subsequent exploration and exploitation will further boost the economic prosperity of our dear state and put us among the committee of the oil producing states in the country”, he said.
The terms of reference of the committee include: “Constant liaison with the NNPCL to ensure seamless execution of the project; liaison with other relevant stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, especially the technical partners; monitoring and facilitating compliance with all the oil and gas laws, including seamless compensation to the host
Monday, 29th April, 2024 communities, as well as facilitating the execution of corporate social responsibilities of host communities in the state.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Advisory and Technical Committee, Dr. Hussain Kasim, while appreciating the governor for finding them worthy of the appointment, assured of their commitment to meeting the expectations of the state government.