N/West govs seek speedy oil search in Sokoto basin

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Governors of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states are willing to partner with relevant agencies to facilitate the exploration of both ethanol and hydrocarbon resources in the basin.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwa who gave the indication said he and his governor colleagues will support the Federal Government in ensuring success of exploration activities in the Sokoto Basin.
Tambuwal stated this yesterday at the ongoing Regional Technology Knowledge-sharing conference on hydrocarbon potentials of Sokoto Basin at the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.
The conference is organised by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in collaboration with Sokoto State Government and the host University to improve expert literature and share research results on the viability of hydrocarbon in the Sokoto Basin.

He said the location of the Sokoto basin is the south eastern portion of a larger basin which covers North Western Nigeria, most parts of Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Mali, Algeria and Libya.
Tambuwal said almost all available hydrocarbon resources are reservoired deep underground, and that there is the need to engage experts to come up with in-depth,credible and convincing data capable of attracting international investment into basin.
“In pursuance of such reliable data, the Sokoto state government contracted a Chinese company which surveyed the basin and confirmed the availability hydro carbon phosphate in abundance.
“Nigeria is in urgent need of more oil and gas reserves to help in developing other economic sectors for fast industrial development of the country,” the Governor added.
According to him, exploring the inland basins will be beneficial to the nation, especially because the Niger Delta and offshore areas have witnessed exploration for too long.