Lawmaker Wants Governors To Explore Gas Deposits

The lawmaker representing Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta /Oru West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Gerald Irona, has urged the governors  of South East states to make case for the exploration of gas deposits in the zone.

Irona, who made the call in Enugu on Monday during the zonal public hearing on the Petroleum Industry Bill, said it had become expedient to include the exploration in the next budget.

He explained that the only way the gas deposit could be explored was through budgetary allocations, adding that this would not be possible without presentations on the need for the exploration.

“Frontier exploration has to do with how to identify the gas deposit and explore it. The money for exploration must come from budgetary allocation,’’ he said.

The legislator said the bill was important for every Nigerian because it would enhance the development of the economy.

Irona expressed disappointment with the low turnout of governments and people of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and  Imo states and urged them to send their memoranda before it was too late.

In his remarks, the Enugu State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Anthony Ani, called for the support of the bill because of its positive impact on the economy.

Similarly, the state’s Commissioner for Transport, Mr Chukwuka Utazi, urged the Federal Government to declare Enugu as an oil producing state because of the abundant deposit of gas in Oji River and Uzo Uwani LGAs.