Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, says preliminary findings by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited have revealed that there is crude oil in Agwatashi and Assakio communities in Obi Local Government Area of the state.
The NNPCL had found oil in Keana local government area and preparations are on top gear to commence its drilling in the month of March.
Speaking during an interactive session with APC Stakeholders in Obi local government area, Sule said his administration will not relent until Nasarawa State begins to enjoy the 13 percent derivation as an oil producing state.
The governor further said the State Government would sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the NNPC limited on February 18 to enable them commence the drilling of the oil without any hitches.
He said, “Preliminary findings have shown that there is oil in Obi LGA. This Saturday, February 18, the NNPCL and the Nasarawa State Government will sign an MoU to drill the oil in Keana LGA.
“In 2019, when I came out to campaign and mentioned oil, a lot of people assumed it was mere politics. That time, I promised that, by the grace of God, I will use my experience that I acquired from my stay in Houston, Texas, global headquarters of the oil, to try.
“As at that time, oil was discovered only in Keana. A lot of people didn’t even know the extent of the oil discovery. The issue of oil has now become a reality. Now NNPCL will drill the first oil well in March.
“I will not rest until we finally join the league of oil producing states and we begin to enjoy the 13 percent derivation. We expect to see appreciable progress by May this year.”
Our correspondent reports that as part of his campaign, Sule equally paid homage to the palaces of the Osuko of Obi, HRH Alhaji Aliyu Dangiwa Ogiri and the Emir of Azara, HRH Alh. Dr. Muhammad Kabiru Ibrahim II.
The APC stakeholders in Obi LGA vowed to mobilise support for all candidates of the party to ensure that they emerge victorious in the 2023 general election.
