The House of Representatives has asked the federal government to intensify the search for crude oil in the Bida basin.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited to conclude the geophysical survey that the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) started in order to ascertain the availability of hydrocarbon in commercial quantity in Bida Basin.
The resolution was reached on Wednesday after a motion by Saidu Abdulahi during plenary.
In his motion, Abdulahi said the basin covers eight local governments in Niger State, two in Kwara and one in Kogi State.
He stated that the basin could add 40 billion barrels to the existing oil reserves in the country.
He stated that the “people of Niger State are anxious about the slow pace of oil exploration activities in the Bida Basin.”
Mr Abdulahi also said the exploration will serve as good news for the country.
The House directed the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.