***As FG reaffirms Kogi an oil producing state.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
GOVERNOR Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi has called for collaboration between the State and Federal Governments towards accelerating investment in the exploration of crude oil resources in the state.
Governor Ododo made the call on Thursday, when he paid a working visit to the Minister of State, petroleum resources (oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in Abuja, according to a statement from Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor.
The Governor restated his administration’s commitment to providing enabling environment for investors and their investments for mutual advantage.
Governor Ododo expressed willingness of Kogi State government to cooperate with the Federal Government to ensure that oil exploration in the state comes on stream.
This, he said, is in line with the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue oil exploration in the frontier basins in Nigeria.
On his part, the Minister, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri reaffirmed the status of Kogi as an oil producing state and pledged the Federal Government’s commitment towards mobilizing investments for exploration of the huge crude oil deposits in Kogi State.
According to Lokpobiri, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) mandates the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to explore frontier basins and pledged the Federal Government’s determination to deploy funds to unlock new discoveries and exploration of oil in Nigeria.
The Minister also commended Governor Ododo for his giant strides in providing good governance to the people of the state.
Kogi State became the first oil producing state in Northern Nigeria following the affirmation of the discovery of oil in commercial quantities by the Federal Government in 2022. (Ends)