Bitumen exploration to commence in Ondo soon

AS of the resolve of the present administration in Ondo State to give priority to industrialisation in order to provide employment opportunities for youths, the state government has concluded all arrangements to commence the exploitation of bitumen deposits at Agbabu town in the Irele local government area of the state.

The state commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Development, Prof Bayo Ademodi, who disclosed this during an interactive session with some investors, said the operation on the exploration of the bitumen would commence in 2018.

According to Ademodi, the state government will tap from the bitumen resource which is the second largest deposit in the world to open up employment opportunities in the state, saying more industry would be developed through the exploration of the mineral resources.

He disclosed that the state government has established a mutual understanding between the investors and the host communities to make the exploration successful saying some of the licensed companies had also visited the communities.

He revealed that some companies had been licensed to begin the exploration of bitumen in the state, saying, though mineral resources were on the exclusive list of the Federal Government, the State Government have now been empowered through economic diversification.

He, however, assured investors of maximum security and support of the government and that the host communities, saying this project will go a long way to bring unequal development of the state.

Ademodi said, “The host communities are eager to receive you warmly. We want to assure you that all your stay in the state during the exploitation period shall be a very lively one mostly with the host communities that are even eager to see the resources being tapped.”

Responding, a former Minister of State for Transport, Mr Habib Aliu, who is the chairman of the Kabara Nigeria Limited incorporated, one of the companies that bided for the exploitation, expressed the readiness of his firm to carry out quality exploration process in the area.