Awka — About 2000 jobs are expected to be created in the first nine months when oil prospecting begins at the Anambra basin said to have large deposits of hydrocarbons.

Managing Director of Ager, the oil and gas company handling oil and gas prospecting in the area, Mr. Obi Nwasike while making a visual presentation of its activities to members of the Anambra State Executive Council and the chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe at Government House, Awka, said the company would spend about $200 million on the project by 2010.

According to him, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has already begun in the area, adding that officials of the company have been meeting with traditional rulers of the host communities for the purpose of ensuring a peaceful working relationship and protecting the people from environmental hazards.

Welcoming the group, Governor Peter Obi said the state was pleased with the measures already put in place by the company, adding that his administration was prepared to cooperate with it to ensure the early take off of the proposed refinery in the area.

He observed that the take- off of the company would boost industrial growth of the state, adding that the reason why many industries collapsed in Anambra State was due to lack of gas and power which the company is expected to produce.