Kaduna — Governors of the 19 states in the north have directed New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC) to embark on a continuous exploration of oil in the Chad Basin and the Benue Trough, until crude oil is discovered in the area.

NNDC Managing Director, Malam Aliyu Alkali, weekend met with a forum of the governors, told newsmen that all efforts were being made to discover crude oil in the north, so that the area too can contribute substantially to Federation Account like the the South-south.

According to him, "some Americans and European companies have already indicated their willingness to partner with NNDC in the oil and gas business. We want to ascertain whether oil and gas can be found in commercial quantity in the north.

"Our belief is that, if there is oil in Chad, Sudan and parts of Cameroon, then there is no reason why there should not be oil in the Chad Basin and the Benue Trough.

"NNDC has already bidded for four of the eight oil blocks in the Chad Basin and the Benue Trough and we have assembled the best team of oil consultant and experts for a smooth take-off of the exploration activities," he said.

Alkali noted that NNDC has concluded plans to build 500 units of various categories of houses in each of the 19 states, saying the construction of the houses would assist in redressing accommodation problems in the area.