The Niger State Government urged the federal government to begin the process of prospecting for oil in the Bida Basin the same way with the Chad basin as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The appeal was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Minna, the state capital by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, saying the Bida Basin was rich in crude oil deposits.

Former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu had commissioned the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University at Lapai and some experts from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to carryout geophysical survey of the Bida Basin for crude oil deposits.

The experts returned a positive report to the government but the capital intensive nature of exploration stopped the then government from commencing the project.

However, Vatsa said the federal government with its vast resources should begin prospecting for oil in the state.

This according to Vatsa would not only improve the nation’s revenue and that of the state when full exploration began but will create jobs for the large number of the unemployed in different parts of the country.

“The federal government’s decision is a giant step that can step up the economic potential of the state and country if pursued with vigour.”

While commending the President Buhari-led administration for stepping up measures for prospecting for oil in the Northern part of the country, Vatsa said such efforts would be incomplete if the search is not extended to the Bida Basin in Niger State.