Edo State government on Wednesday expressed happiness over the discovery of coal in commercial quantity in the state.
BusinessDay reports that a geological and energy developer, Tunde Awodola, had on Monday in a meeting with Chinedu Nebo, the minister of power, disclosed the discovery of the new coal site in Edo State.
The new coal site is said to have the capacity to generate about one thousand megawatts (MW) of power.
In a chat with BusinessDay in Benin-City, Iriogbe Isimeme, the state commissioner for oil and gas, described the news of the coal discovery in the state as a good omen.
Isimeme, who urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the exploration of the coal deposit for power generation and other economic benefits, noted that it will go a long way in boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state.
He also added that it will increase the Federal Government’s monthly revenue accruing to the state from the federation account, economic activities as well as creation of varying categories of jobs for the people of the state and Nigerians.
He, however, urged the relevant Federal Government agencies that will see to the full realisation of the exploration of the solid mineral and the production of the 1000 megawatts of power to liaise with the state government, noting that the state government has much to contribute to the success of the Federal Government project.
The authorities of geological and energy developer, who did not specify the area the coal was discovered in the state had, however, explained that the large quantity of coal would help the nation to generate more power.
The minister, who was represented at the meeting by Albert Okorogu, his special assistant, described the discovery as laudable and a plus to technology development in the power sector.
He assured that the Federal Government would do everything possible to achieve stable power supply across the country.
Available documents on coal deposits in the country revealed that coal seams were discovered at Afuze, near Auchi in Edo State.
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