By Suzan Edeh

Bauchi—The Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said, yesterday, that the corporation has concluded plans to mobilise heavy equipment to Bauchi and Gombe states to commence oil exploration.

Speaking with journalists at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi, Baru called on citizens of the two states not to panic when they see movement of the equipment into the states.

Baru, who was received by senior officials of the corporation and Bauchi State Chief of Staff, Audu Sule Katagum, said his mission to the two states was to sensitise the people on oil exploration activities.

He said: “We are here to signify our intention to sensitise the good people of Bauchi and Gombe states on our efforts to mobilise back into the Gongola Basin.

“Our intention is to start 3D seismic acquisition and cover as much of the basin as possible, to continue work in terms of exploring hydrocarbon in the North-East.

“Of course, our activities in the Chad Basin will also be re-activated as soon as we get the clear sign.

“So our mission here is to sensitise the people that if they see the seismic crew moving about in their farms and drilling some boreholes, where we put our various geo-tools and dropping seismic lines across the various areas, they don’t get distracted or scared.”

On the prospects of getting oil in the states, Baru said it was good because of some explorations done in one of the wells, which was just outside Yankari Game Reserve.

He said part of the reserve showed interesting find although not in commercial quantity.