Ondo State to begin bitumen exploration over the next two years as part of economic diversification plan

ONDO State government is to begin exploring the bitumen deposits within its domain over the next two years as part of a major economic diversification programme aimed at making the state self-reliant.

Currently, Ondo State receives the fifth largest oil allocation in Nigeria but could become the richest state in the nation as it is sitting on $10bn worth of bitumen deposits. Now, the state government has said that over the next two years, it would be on the world map for bitumen exploitation as arrangements have been concluded to begin processing natural resources across the state.

Professor Bayonile Ademodi, the Ondo State commissioner for regional integration and special duties, said some companies have already been licensed to begin production. Speaking whole meeting with licencee bitumen companies operating in the state, he added that the essence of the meeting was to receive presentations on the level of work done in line with workplans for bitumen exploitation development.

He reiterated that the present administration under the leadership of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was committed to providing bitumen investors with the necessary conducive atmosphere to thrive in the state. Professor Ademodi said: “Since the beginning of the present administration in Ondo state, bitumen exploitation project have been put in the frontline.

“This is the first time the ministry would be established for the purpose of overseeing the development of bitumen project in Ondo State.

“The major task of this ministry is to prepare grounds for the successful operation of these bitumen companies and the host community and the ministry has taken it upon itself as a major task to develop a conducive operational environment for the bitumen licencee companies. So we are fully engaged with the community."

In his welcome address, the acting permanent secretary in the ministry, EO Ogunsanmi, an engineer, said the programme was borne out of the ministry’s avowed commitment to ensure that bitumen exploitation in state was devoid of crisis which is usually associated with mining, particularly, crude oil.

Engineer Ogunsanmi also reiterated that the state governor was committed to industrialisation and bitumen development was considered vital to this process. He added that bitumen processing a veritable means to transform the state from purely a civil service state to an industrial hub within Nigeria.

Anit Wiener, the director and project manager of Kabara Mining Nigeria, one of the companies that bid for the exploitation, expressed the readiness of his firm to begin work in the area. He, however, charged the state government to prepare a ground with the host community for the commencement of the project, saying that the company could not do it alone without the support of the state government and the community.

Mr Wiener added:  “We have a bitumen licence to establish a plant for separation and to finally take the bitumen from ground for the prosperity of the country. The first exploitation would commence this year."