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Crude oil discovered in 4 LGA in Imo state

Published

10 years ago

March 15, 2014

The Imo Government said it discovered crude oil in some local
government areas, and urged the Federal Government to inspect
the sites for possible exploration.
The Managing Director of Imo State Oil Producing Area
Development Commission, Dr Henry Okoro, revealed this in an
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Owerri on
Friday.
Okoro said the areas are Oru East and West, Ngor-Opkala and
Obowo Local Government areas.
He said if the oil discovered was utilised, it would afford the state
an opportunity of becoming a front runner among the oil producing
states in the country.
“We have enough raw materials here in Imo which is capable of
increasing the Internally Generated Revenue of the nation.
“The Federal Government should come now and inspect these areas
for possible exploration, because I know that a lot of oil companies
will want to invest,’’ he said.
The managing director said the commission had no powers to begin
exploration in the areas, and stressed the need for the Federal
Government to act fast.
NAN reports that Imo is one of the oil producing states in the
country with oil being drilled from Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local
Government Areas.
Okoro said that the recent discovery would also fast track Federal
Government’s presence as well as boost development of the state.
He also noted that about 3,000 youths from the state had been
empowered through the “Youth Empowerment Trust Fund” an
initiative of the state government.
According to him, ISOPADEC has intensified plans to partner
with some American experts to train youths on mechanised farming
system.
Okoro promised that the commission would continue to roll out
empowerment programmes both for the youth and women in the
state.
He said the commission had also commenced the construction of an
International Marine University, adding that it would soon be
completed.
This, the managing director said, would go a long way in providing
education for the youth in the area.