Roadmap to Oil Producing Status

His Excellency, Senator, Prince Bassey Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross River State is Fast-Tracking Hydrocarbon Development in the state towards actualizing his mandate of putting the state in the map of oil producing states before the end of his first term in office.


Cross River State, a coastal state in the present South-South Nigeria, was created on May 27, 1967, from the former Eastern Region, by the General Yakubu Gowon regime. Its name was changed to Cross River State in the 1976 state creation exercise by the then General Murtala Mohammed regime from South Eastern State to Cross River State. The present-day Akwa Ibom State was excised from it in the state creation exercise of September 1987 by the then regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Its capital is Calabar, and its major towns are Akamkpa, Biase, Calabar South, Ikom, Obubra, Odukpani, Ogoja, Ugep, Obudu, Obanliku, and Akpabuyo. The state was named after the Cross River, which passes through the state. Located in the Niger Delta, Cross River State occupies 20,156 square kilometers. It shares boundaries with Benue State to the north, Enugu and Abia States to the west, Cameroon Republic to the east, and Akwa Ibom and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

The state has been previously governed by many governors and administrators, including Udoakaha J. Esuene, Paul Omu, Tunde Elegbede, Clement Isong, Donald Etiebet, Daniel Archibong, Ibim Princewill, Ernest Atta, Clement Ebri, Ibrahim Kefas, Gregory Agboneni, Umar Farouk Ahmed, Christopher Osondu, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, Ben Ayade, and the current governor, Prince Bassey Otu. Interestingly, not a few Nigerians know that this coastal state surrounded by sea does not enjoy the status of an oil-producing state in Nigeria. The loss of its oil wells to neighboring Akwa Ibom state after a rigorous legal process that went all the way to the nation's apex court, the Supreme Court, stripped the state of its oil status. This unfortunate development which happened during the administration of Liyel Imoke, has put the state in dire straits.

Following this state of affairs, Senator Otu made promise to the state that he would work towards redeeming the anomaly if he became governor. True to his word, since the inauguration of Senator Bassey Otu as the executive governor of Cross River State, the ebullient and ever hardworking Prince Otu has been working round the clock to put the state back on the prestigious map of oil-producing state in the country. To make his dream come true, the governor went in search of a credible, reliable, and efficient oil and gas professional company to drive the process to ensure that the state occupies its pride of place among the geese that lay the golden eggs. After due diligence and an extensive search, Governor Otu engaged the services of Whitepage International Concept (WPIC), an indigenous international oil and gas outfit headed by a seasoned oil and gas specialist, Engr. Yakubu Mohammed.

In the words of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Whitepage, Engr. Yakubu Mohammed, the governor has deployed resources, men, and material to ensure that he delivers his promises on oil and gas to the people. He further re-echoed that, “Petroleum oil and gas accounts for 95% of Nigerian earnings and remains the major supporter of its economy. Globally, petroleum as an energy source will continue to dominate other primary energy sources and is expected to account for up to 60% of world energy demand beyond the year 2040. Therefore, as a country, it is imperative to continue to search for more oil and gas deposits to add to the nation’s reserve, thus maintaining a lead as a major oil-producing country. With this in mind, the Governor has made oil and gas development the core focus of his administration.”

Since the ceding of some oil blocks belonging to the state to the neighboring Akwa Ibom state, there are some open oil blocks in Cross River State that have not been allocated and over 50 abandoned capped wells. The present governor, His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu, being a visionary leader, has taken the bull by the horn by making a difference. He wants to ensure that the untapped hydrocarbon deposits are explored and exploited for the benefit of Cross Riverians and Nigerians in general. On assumption of office, the administration of His Excellency Prince Bassey Otu has shown great and unparalleled commitment towards the success of hydrocarbon development in Cross River State.

As soon as he resumed duty after his swearing-in, the governor invited Whitepage International Concept (WPIC), an international entity within the oil and gas domain, recognized for its unwavering commitment to client service and pioneering contributions to the energy sector, with expertise in hydrocarbon exploration and production. The state government engaged the company with a mandate to fast-track hydrocarbon development in the state after signing an agreement with terms of reference and timelines for delivery of the project.

This commendable step taken by the present administration in the state has already started yielding positive results. Within the short span of His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu as the executive governor of the state, the state has achieved so much in the area of hydrocarbon development. The landmark achievements include re-engineering the oil and gas development program for the first time in Cross River State with the highest sense of commitment and responsibility. The governor has also approved the preliminary plans for facilities to be derived from this project for the benefit of the state and Nigeria at large, among which are LPG and LNG plants, fertilizer plants, refineries, pump stations, crude and white products terminals, depots, etc.

While the process of building two (2) modular refineries in the state such as applications for licenses, has reached an advanced stage, the governor has outlined a process of making Cross River an oil-producing state to be a beneficiary of the 13% derivation being enjoyed by the other oil-producing states. For the speedy actualization of the projects, In line with his effort in fast-tracking oil development in the state, the governor created an agency, The Cross-River State Hydrocarbon Development Agency, and appointed Mr. Ntui Ogar as the substantive Director General and an SPV - Cross-Page Energy to drive the state’s oil and gas development. This is one of its kind in the country.

The state has also applied for two oil blocks of interest, in Odukpani and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of the state. The state government, while carrying out exploratory research alongside the consultant and the Geology department of the University of Calabar, is working out plans to ensure that Cross River State becomes an operator rather than an ordinary shareholder in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. If actualized, this will be an enviable feat in the continent. The governor has also directed the setting up of camps in the operational areas (Cross River North, Central, and South) to coordinate with the indigenes on the oil and gas activities in order to avoid militancy in the state. This is also to ensure adequate participation of the communities.

The state government has also reached out to investors from Bahrain, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland, who have shown interest to be part of the project, while the consultant has started conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and wild cat well drilling has begun. As part of the effort to carry the indigenes along, the project team, from WPIC, the Hydrocarbon Development Agency, and Cross-Page Energy Ltd, have carried out advocacy and familiarization visits to the respective communities in Akpabuyo and Odukpani LGAs to sensitize them about the project.

The state is also making arrangements to build Cross-Page Mega Stations in the North, Central, and Southern Senatorial Zones of the state as pilot projects, while this will be replicated in all the Local Government Areas of the state. These projects will further create employment opportunities for the indigenes as well as address the incessant fuel scarcity prevalent in most parts of the country. To train the indigenes of the state in oil and gas-related studies and for them to have the requisite manpower for these projects, the state government is looking forward to establishing an Institute of Hydrocarbon Studies.

Presently, exploration activity is ongoing at the various sites in the state. With the committed zeal of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu, the “People’s Paradise” will soon join the elite league of oil-producing states. Commenting on the efforts and commitment of the governor to walk the talk, especially on making Cross River an oil-producing state, the Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Owan-Enoh, said that, “under the present administration, the state is celebrating a new chapter in the development and prosperity of Cross River State, one that is driven by visionary leadership and a commitment to harnessing our natural resources for the benefit of our people.

The SSG further states: “We hail the remarkable initiatives of our esteemed governor. His vision and proactive steps in the hydrocarbon sector have set us on a path to becoming a major player in Nigeria's oil and gas industry. His decisive action to create a dedicated agency and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Cross-Page Energy Ltd (CPEL) for this project reflects his unwavering dedication to the development of our state. “As we look forward, we must also acknowledge our past. The Supreme Court and International Court of Justice ruling that led to the ceding of 76 cap wells to Akwa Ibom state was a significant setback. Despite the vast hydrocarbon deposits within our borders, previous administrations showed disinterest in exploring them. However, the proactive approach of the current administration marks a turning point. A well-versed company has been engaged to manage the project, and we must all rally behind this effort for its success.”

Similarly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, stated, “We are thrilled to witness the tangible progress in our hydrocarbons project. The government’s efforts will soon bring a significant boost to our state’s economy. The modular refineries, once operational, will create thousands of job opportunities for our people. CPEL’s involvement is a testament to our commitment to harnessing our resources for the greater good. While there were delays in the past, we are now on an accelerated path to becoming an oil producing state. This project has the potential to transform our state, especially with the prospect of the 13% derivation fund”.

A stakeholder, Ambassador Dr Nya Eyoma Asuquo Etubom and Clan Head of Mbiabo Esine Ufot/Mbiabo Edere Odukpani LGA, former ambassador to Uganda, also commented on the great job the governor is doing and praised his efforts in the development of the oil blocks in Cross River State. He stated that he has been on this for more than a decade to ensure that work on the blocs in Cross River state is started by the government but the past government never listened to him until the present administration. “Cross River State has been endowed with an abundance of hydrocarbon deposits, yet past administrations showed little interest in exploiting these resources for the benefit of our people. This neglect has cost us dearly in terms of lost opportunities and development.”

Also speaking, the Assistant Manager, Operations, Whitepage International Concept, Ms. Mmesoma Chris-Agazie, said, “WPIC is dedicated to providing technical expertise and support to the state government in achieving its goals. We bring a wealth of experience in hydrocarbon development and are committed to ensuring the highest standards in our operations. Our partnership with the Cross River State Government is a model of how public-private collaboration can drive significant progress. The work we are doing here goes beyond oil extraction; it’s about creating a sustainable future for the people of Cross River.”

Ms. Chris-Agazie emphasized, “Our mandate is to harness the state’s hydrocarbon resources responsibly and sustainably. We are conducting thorough assessments, re-entering abandoned cap wells, and preparing for drilling activities. The involvement of local communities is central to our approach, ensuring they benefit from the project. This is a transformative journey for Cross River State, and we are proud to be part of it. The state government's steadfast support and the visionary leadership of Governor Otu have been crucial in advancing this project. Additionally, the Geology department at the University of Calabar has significantly contributed to the research program. Together, we are laying the foundation for a prosperous future.”

On his part, the Director General of Cross River State Hydrocarbon and Solid Mineral Development Agency, Ahmed Ntui Ogar, has praised the effort of the governor and highlighted the significant progress made under the governor's leadership. According to him, “the current hydrocarbon project is a testimony to the commitment and dedication of the governor. We are making steady progress, and the prospects are very bright. His Excellency has shown great interest in the development of the state's hydrocarbon resources, and this is evident in the proactive measures being taken. The establishment of the agency and SPV is a step in the right direction, providing the necessary framework for efficient project execution. Our engagement with Whitepage International Concept has been fruitful, and we are confident that the state will soon join the league of oil-producing states.”

In conclusion, the journey to making Cross River State an oil-producing state is on a fast track. The administration of Governor Prince Bassey Otu is poised to deliver on its promise of harnessing the state's hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of its people. The collaborative efforts of the state government, WPIC, and other stakeholders are paving the way for a prosperous and sustainable future.