The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has said only security clearance will determine whether the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) can resume crude oil exploration in the Lake Basin in Borno State.
He addressed a news conference to commiserate with families of workers and military personnel, who were victims of yesterday’s attack.
The minister noted that NNPC did not start oil exploration in the area until it got a green light from security operatives, and so wouldn’t resume work without security clearance.
According to him, if NNPC desists from doing its job because of crime, this may halt the economy. He, therefore, reiterated that activities of the corporation in the basin will be based on sufficient security in the area.
His words: “The reality is this: any time NNPC decides to go into a terrain, it first has to get the privilege of security apparatus. That security advice was substantially clear for six months. So, that goes to show that there was some level of stability in that area. It wasn’t a misguided venture.
“Now, whether we will resume will depend again on what security clearance is given. If we decide not to work in that area of Chad, and other parts of Nigeria, it means the economy will stop. It means oil in the Niger Delta will stop.
“But if we get sufficient security clearance, I don’t see why we shouldn’t continue with our work there. The lesson we will take away is to look at the security apparatus to see whether there is a little more to do. I know that there were over 200 security personnel apparatus, including the military, civilian JTF and all that. So it was very well protected.
“Obviously, security agencies will take a second look to see what more protection they will put in place. But, certainly, we will not go back unless they give us a clearance.”