Ike Amos
Abuja — The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday, said it is set to commence prospecting for hydrocarbon in 12 local government areas in Niger State, in the Bida Basin.
In a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Paul Osu, the DPR said it has commenced the radiometric survey of the Bida basin in Niger state.
According to the DPR, this was in line with federal government’s aspiration to diversify hydrocarbon exploration across all Nigerian basins.
According to the statement, Director of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ahmad Shakur, gave this indication when he paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso.
According to Shakur, the objective of the radiometric survey is to determine the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Bida basin, noting that the exercise would cover twelve local government areas of the state.
Shakur solicited the cooperation of the state government in sensitisation of the people in the affected local government areas of the survey to ensure the safe conduct of the program.
Also speaking, Executive Governor of the state, Abubakar Sani Bello, promised to give the DPR maximum support including the provision of adequate security for the survey team.
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He stated that the government of Niger state was delighted to have DPR, being the petroleum regulatory agency of Nigeria carry out the survey in states which they expect will boost the economy of the state by way of job creation.
The statement added that Shakur also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bida, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar to also solicit his cooperation and support for the radiometric survey.
The Emir gave his assurance to provide support for the program and assist in the sensitisation of his people.
