Few days to the deadline set by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to resume oil exploration in Borno state, indications have emerged that the planned exercise may not take place soon, Leadership reports.
None of the sophisticated equipment for the operation has been moved to the site earmarked for the commencement of the exercise even as there are no activities on ground to indicate that the exercise will begin soon as promised. It would be recalled that the NNPC through its group managing director, Dr Maikanti Baru, had said oil exploration in the Chad basin will commence in July, 2017, as according to it, necessary arrangements were being made for the take-off of the much awaited exercise.
A substantial part of the discovered oil is also said to be lying in Kukawa local government council of Borno state where reports indicate that security threats are still being experienced and which may jeopardize the planned commencement of the exploration exercise. However, the Corporation’s spokesperson, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu said via an SMS, yesterday, that; “We made it clear that once we get clearance from security agencies, we shall move in.”
