The exploration team at the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has identified additional points it will drill in some bitumen belt in order to provide additional geosciences data in bitumen, a move that will support government’s decision to auction bitumen blocks in the country.
Director General of the NGSA, Dr Garba Abdulrazaq who made the disclosure at an interview in Abuja on Monday, hailed the decision of government to auction the blocks as a step that will significantly contribute to the ongoing efforts to diversify the economy, saying that the NGSA will deploy its human and technical expertise to ensure that the country gets best results from the move.
“The professional drilling teams of the NGSA have been working on sites of bitumen blocks, they have been able to identify some points that we will drill in order to generate additional geosciences data on bitumen in the country,” he said, adding that the availability of more geosciences information on bitumen will increases investments in bitumen.
Dr Garba, who has been part of several exploration projects in the country said: “As you know, government is in the process of concessioning bitumen blocks and NGSA needs to generate more geosciences data to support the policy, this means we have to increase the attractiveness of the bitumen blocks by providing additional information on bitumen.”
“In a couple of weeks, the rigs will be moved to the location to commence operation,” he said, adding that the agency will embark on more geophysical studies in some of the blocks to enable us to provide some geosciences information that we will get from some of the points to be drilled.”
He said in the past two years, the NGSA has reorganized and refocused itself toward providing the necessary data and geosciences information needed to trigger investments in mining, adding that the agency will continue to focus on areas of its mandate that will lead to generation of geosciences data to support investment policies of government and the industry.
Discussing the harmonious relationship of the agency with communities that fall within the bitumen belt, the Director General commended the community leader of J6 Camp, Mrs Bosede for her support to the bitumen exploration team, stating that she personally followed the NGSA Team to the designated bitumen spot to see things for herself.
