13 March 2023
The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, says the Federal Government will embark on an airborne geophysical survey wiithin Delta State and some other states in Nigeria.
This is in continuation of its bid to enhance the diversification of the economy by
improving the availability of geological information and data
This was contained in a statement by the Media and Communication Officer, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project, Ministry of Mines , Steel and Development ,Ishaku Kigbu
He stated that the activity which is being supported by the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) is carried out by an international Consultant called Excalibur and involves the use of yellow coloured small aircrafts fitted with aeromagnetic lenses to carry out aeromagnetic surveys in additional areas in selected states of the federation which includes Delta State.
The statement further explained that
States in the new carved out that will experience the flying of these special aircrafts at very low altitude in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies are Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo and Benue
It further states that
In Delta State that areas that the aircraft will fly at low altitude to capture geological information and data include Isoko South, Oshimili, Aniocha-North Aniocha – South, Ika South, Ika North – East and Ndokwa – West LGAs.
The statement adds that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development stated that, to mitigate the impact, palpable fears and tension within Communities and the Local Governments mentioned, the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) has deployed a team to Sensitise communities within the affected States.
It said that the sensitisation has become very necessary to ensure that the people are not misinformed or dis-informed especially given the security situation in the country as the Governorship elections approaches.
He sressed that the said sensitisation exercise is to further re-sensitise the people of Delta State not to panic upon sighting the aircraft.
It reveals that the aeromagnetic activity carried out by Xcalibur is not done by any helicopter but a small yellow coloured aircraft which has capacity for only a pilot in it , it does not carry more than one person and specially designed for capturing geological information and nothing more.
The public may recalled that the Airborne Geophysical Mapping Survey started in June 2021, and a robust sensitisation and enlightenment campaign was carried out in the 19 States that were to be covered by the activi
It further states that the program experienced overlaps due to weather conditions and logistical reasons but has been progressing reasonable since it started as activity has achieved over 40% success in data acquisition and therefore remains very safe.
The people of Delta State are however advised not to misconstrue the activity as attack on the people or panic but a continuation of data acquisition in the affected areas of the State.
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