*By Danjuma Amodu*
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has pledged to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin, raising prospects of renewed investment in the state’s largely untapped hydrocarbon resources.
The commitment followed a meeting between Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and the NNPCL management in Maiduguri on Wednesday, where the governor also expressed concern over the failure to complete the upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant despite the availability of materials at the project site for about two years.
The twin issues of oil exploration and electricity supply featured prominently during the meeting, as Zulum urged the national oil company to translate its commitments into concrete action to unlock Borno’s economic potential and improve the welfare of residents.
The governor, who received the NNPCL delegation led by its Board Chairman, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, described the resumption of exploration in the state as strategically important, citing Borno’s hydrocarbon potential and its location bordering three countries.
He expressed optimism that renewed exploration activities would attract investment, stimulate economic growth and create opportunities for the state.
Zulum, however, faulted the slow pace of work on the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, describing the facility as critical to improving electricity supply in the state capital and surrounding communities.
He said the upgrade remained incomplete despite the necessary materials having been available at the site for about two years.
The governor urged the NNPCL management to intervene urgently, stressing that completing the project would improve electricity supply and support economic and commercial activities across Maiduguri and its environs.
In response, Kida assured the governor that the company would fast-track the resumption of exploration activities in the Borno Basin and address the bottlenecks delaying completion of the emergency power plant.
He 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 government officials.
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, among others.
