Yobe state elders want oil exploration start soon

Elders in Nigeria’s troubled Yobe State on Thursday appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, to commence exploration of crude oil in the Chad basin.

The elders made the appeal in Damaturu at a town hall meeting with Jonathan when he paid a one day working visit to the state. They said that the exploration would develop agriculture, create employment and improve the economy of the country.

Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, a former Minister of Agriculture, said there were indications of rich oil deposits in the Chad basin area that needed to be explored to enhance revenue base of the country and the people.

“When you find oil in Yobe and Borno, it belongs to the Nigerian nation and it will also promote national unity,’’ Ciroma said.

Rep. Hassan El-Badawy, representing Bade/Jakusko Constituency, said “the Chad basin oil exploration in Nigeria has taken over 20 years while Niger, Cameroon and Chad explored oil in just six years”.

He expressed optimism that “the Nigeria Government can explore the Chad basin in less than two years and develop the Mambilla hydro electric power project for improved energy”.

Senator Ahmad Lawan, Yobe North, appealed to the president to establish a ‘Presidential Recovery Programme’ to assist the State Government and individuals recover from the economic, social and infrastructural loss suffered from the insurgency attacks.

The elders called on government to provide employment opportunities to reduce poverty and manipulation of youths by criminal elements.

Jonathan said N16 billion had been earmarked for the inland sedimentary basin exploration.

He assured that the Minister of Petroleum Resources would update the people on the progress made when she visit the state in June.

The president said more jobs would be provided in the next five years while Federal Government would partner with the State Government to rehabilitate victims of the conflicts.

Meanwhile, the president has inaugurated the ‘Goodluck Jonathan’ library complex of Yobe State University and donated N200 million to the university.

Similarly, the president inaugurated the 18km dual carriageway ring road in Damaturu while on the one day working visit to the state.