The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC is to commence the search for crude oil and other hydrocarbon exploratory activities in the Benue Trough.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikaniti Baru made the disclosure while receiving a delegation from the Benue State Government, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Baru revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive to NNPC to commence hydrocarbon exploratory activities in the Benue Trough as part of efforts to guarantee energy security of the country.

He added that NNPC has reinvigorated its collaboration with the Benue State Government on the Ethanol project which is geared towards production of biofuels for energy sufficiency. He noted that ethanol when blended with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, ensures excellent performance of vehicles, stressing that energy sufficiency and proficiency were part of the cardinal objectives of the NNPC.

The NNPC added that it has initiated a renewable energy programme which is in conformity with the Kyoto Protocol agreement to which Nigeria is a signatory. The primary aim of the programme is to link the agricultural sector with the oil and gas industry. It is also targeted at gradually reducing the nation’s dependence on imported gasoline, reducing environmental pollution as a result of consumption of wholesale fossil fuel as well as creating a commercially viable industry that can boast of sustainable domestic jobs.

Earlier, Terwase Orbunde, leader of the Benue State delegation, Terwase Orbunde, commended the NNPC for resolving the recent fuel supply challenges and pledged the readiness of the state government to support the quick take off of the Ethanol project, adding that the project would generate jobs for Nigerians.