The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has concluded plans to mobilise some of its equipment to Bauchi and Gombe states in anticipation of oil exploration in the Benue Trough.
Its group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, disclosed this on Thursday when he spoke with journalists at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi.
He, therefore, advised that the people of the two states should not panic when they see the movement of the equipment into the states.
He said his mission to the two states was to sensitise the people to the anticipated exploration of oil in the area.
“We are here to signal to the good people of Bauchi and Gombe states of our intention and efforts to mobilise our equipment back to Gongola Basin.
“Our intention is to start 3D seismic acquisition which covers as much as possible the basin in terms of exploring hydrocarbon in the North East.
“Of course our activities in the Chad Basin will also be re-activated as soon as we get the clear sign,” Baru said.
He urged the people within the two states not to panic over the matter.
He said that seismic crew from the NNPC would move about farmlands or be drilling boreholes where Geo-polls and drawing seismic lines were marked in various areas.
Baru said that earlier prospects conducted in the two states were credible, especially in one of the wells in Yankari Games Reserves.
“Our intent now is to probe with more definitive seismic data that will ensure we cover as much as possible,” he said.
Baru was received by the senior officials of the corporation and Alhaji Sule Katagum, Chief of staff to Governor Mohammed Abubakar.
