28 years after it had stopped oil drilling due to reports that the location was commercially viable, and five years after the government stopped trying due to insurgency, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has resumed oil drilling at Wadi-B in Tuba Community, Jere Local Government Area, of Borno State.
Once in the crosshairs of violent attacks from terrorist groups, including the dreaded Boko Haram Sect, Borno State is gradually recovering with.
Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president, launched the crude oil drilling campaign on Tuesday, May 24, 2023, and expressed optimism that the oil exploration, if completed, will provide security and electricity, reduce unemployment, and pave the way to strengthen the state’s socio-economic development.
The president joined the campaign virtually and thanked the people, government, and traditional councils of Borno state for their efforts and resilience in fostering peace across the state.
Also speaking at the event, Babagana Zulum, the Borno State Governor, remarked that his administration is always ready to support the NNPC in ensuring that crude oil is drilled in large quantities in Borno and the Lake Chad Basin.
On his part, Mele Kyari, the Managing Director of NNPC, said he is confident that the drilling exploration will succeed this time.
“Now we are much more confident, we believe that this campaign will be successful and that this campaign will take us to the ultimate objective, which is to increase the reserves of our country and also create opportunities around us. We believe the time for oil and gas to vanish is still far away,” he said.
The Wadi-B wells are estimated to have a total depth of 14 thousand feet and are seen as a visionary project that hopes to create more job opportunities in the Lake Chad region.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has resumed oil drilling at Wadi-B in Borno State after a 28-year hiatus due to commercial viability and insurgency concerns. This initiative was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 24, 2023, with hopes of enhancing security, electricity, employment, and socio-economic development in the region.
Governor Babagana Zulum expressed the state’s support for the project, while NNPC Managing Director Mele Kyari voiced confidence in the success of the drilling, aiming to increase the country’s oil reserves and create job opportunities. The Wadi-B wells, with an estimated depth of 14 thousand feet, are viewed as a significant project for the Lake Chad region.
