The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has pledged to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin and address delays in the upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant following a meeting with Governor Babagana Zulum.
The company made the commitment on Thursday, when a delegation of its top management, led by Board Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida, met with Zulum in Maiduguri to discuss energy development and critical infrastructure projects in the state.
The meeting focused on restarting oil exploration in the Borno Basin and resolving the delays affecting the upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, which is expected to strengthen electricity supply in the state capital and its environs.
While receiving the delegation, Zulum emphasised the importance of resuming oil exploration, describing Borno as a state with significant commercial potential and strategic advantages arising from its borders with three countries.
He expressed optimism that renewed exploration activities would unlock the state’s hydrocarbon resources, attract investment and create opportunities for economic development.
The governor said the resumption of exploration would provide an opportunity to harness Borno’s natural resources and support broader economic activities in the state.
The governor also expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, noting that the project’s upgrade remained incomplete despite the availability of the necessary materials at the site for about two years.
He urged the NNPC management to intervene and remove the obstacles delaying the completion of the project, stressing its importance to the socio-economic well-being of residents of Maiduguri and neighbouring communities.
According to him, improved electricity supply would support businesses, enhance public services and contribute to the state’s economic recovery.
Zulum called for urgent action to ensure that the project delivered its expected benefits to residents, given the importance of reliable power supply to commercial and public activities.
Responding, Kida assured the governor that the company was ready to accelerate the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin. He also pledged that the NNPCL would address the bottlenecks delaying the completion of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant upgrade.
The NNPC chairman commended Zulum for his continued support and efforts to create a conducive environment for investment and energy development in the state.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur; the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
Members of the NNPC delegation included the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, and the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekon Ogunleye
