NNPC plans to resume oil exploration in Sokoto Basin

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, has hinted at plans to resume active exploration activities in Sokoto Basin.

The corporation disclosed this on Thursday in a statement signed by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr Kenny Obateru.

Kyari, while receiving the Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, restated the NNPC’s commitment to the partnership with the Kebbi State government for the production of biofuels.

He described the project as viable and in tandem with the global transition to renewable energy.

He said the rice production programme in the state was a definite boost to the biofuels project, adding that the linkage of the agricultural sector with the energy sector would facilitate economic growth and bring prosperity to the citizens.

“We will go ahead and renew the Memorandum of Understanding and bring in any necessary amendment that is required to make this business run faster,” Kyari said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Kebbi State governor expressed appreciation to the NNPC for its cooperation on the biofuel project.

He said the cassava programme was well on course but the same could not be said of the sugarcane programme as the targeted milestone was yet to be attained.

Bagudu assured the NNPC boss of his commitment to the success of the project.

Kebbi is one of the states the national oil company is in partnership with for the development of renewable energy, according to the statement.