Sufficient deposits of hydrocarbon have been discovered in the northern part of Nigeria as stakeholders brace up for investments.
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The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has confirmed the presence of adequate hydrocarbon in the Sokoto basin, urging governments of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states to prepare to acquire oil blocks in the basin.
Speaking at the regional technology knowledge sharing workshop on hydrocarbon potentials of the Sokoto basin, NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru said this would make them active players in the oil and gas industry.
The workshop holding at the ultra- modern auditorium of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, was organized by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government and the university.
According to Baru, the objective of exploration in the inland basins was to attract oil and gas investments upon successful discovery.
Represented by the Kaduna zonal Manager, Aliyu Jafar, the NNPC GMD solicited the support of traditional institutions and host communities for the actualization of the lofty ideals.
In their separate remarks, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his Kebbi state counterpart, Atiku Bagudu assured their support towards the actualization of oil discovery in the basin.
In his goodwill message, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar urged the federal government to channel the revenue generated from oil exploration to the agricultural sector.
The guest speaker, Professor Muhammed Abubakar said oil exploration across the country would strengthen national unity.
The Vice Chancellor of UDUS, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, said the workshop was organized to attract attention to the Sokoto basin potentials.