FG backs Ondo bitumen exploration

MINISTER of Solid Miner­als Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi has commended the Ondo State governor, Dr Oluse­gun Mimiko for his zeal and commitment towards the ex­ploration and exploitation of bitumen in the State, even as he assured of the Federal Govern­ment’s readiness to support and partner the state.

Dr Fayemi who gave the assurance on Friday during a courtesy visit on Dr Mimiko, said he was happy at the deter­mination of the governor to­wards the realisation of the ex­ploration of the state’s bitumen.

“I’m glad that the state under your administration had activat­ed your engagement in taking advantage of the endowment on your land. I toured the bitu­men belt yesterday, (Thursday) I was in Agbabu, Loda, Ilubirin and other communities. It was my first time of being there and I was shocked at the quality of bitumen from the surface, hav­ing not even gone down. The quality is very impressive”.

While also commending the Mimiko administration for “its proactive approach in ensuring that the bitu­men project is realised in the state” Fayemi assured of the Federal Government’s coop­eration for its actualisation, disclosing that the partner­ing company’s team, “Lique­fied Resources” had visited him in Abuja, submitting that “with the new technology on ground, bitumen exploration is realisable.”