February 14, (THEWILL) – The Nasarawa State Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), will on Saturday, February 18, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signalling the commencement of oil drilling in Keana.
Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule, who disclosed this while speaking during an interactive session with APC Stakeholders in Obi, on Monday, said the signing of the MoU with the NNPCL, will pave way for the drilling of the first oil well in Keana.
He said preliminary findings also revealed another oil discovery in Agwatashi and Assakio, both in Obi Local Government Area of the State.
Sule said his administration will not relent until Nasarawa State begins to enjoy the 13 percent derivation as an oil producing state.
“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 don’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.
“Preliminary findings have shown that there is also oil in Obi. This Saturday, 18th February, NNPCL and Nasarawa State Government will sign MoU. It will now dawn on people that this administration doesn’t make empty promises, but only seeks to bring development to the state.
“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”, he stated.
Speaking earlier at the palace of the Zhe Mighili, in Jenkwe Development Area, the Governor said his administration has set aside over two billion Naira as counterpart funding to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), meant for the construction and rehabilitation of schools.
He announced plans to build a storey building of eight classrooms and offices at GJSS Dudugulu, several others including ECCDE Okaha, GJSS Agwade West, Gidan Hausa primary school, as well as a borehole in Dudugulu.
Engineer Sule said under the next plan of action by the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), about 20 schools will be constructed in Obi, Deddere and Adudu.
He, however, called on the people where these projects will be executed to constantly supervise the project and to draw his attention once they realised the contractor is not delivering to standard.
