The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, says the Federal Government in continuation of its quest to improve the availability of geological information and data to enhance the diversification of the economy will embark on an airborne geophysical survey within and around Delta State.
A statement by the Media and Communication Officer, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project, Ministry of Mines , Steel and Development ,Ishaku Kigbu 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 Delta State is among.
The statement adds that as part of the activity in the new carved out areas, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Delta and Benue States will experience the flying of these special aircrafts at very low altitude in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.
It further states that In Delta State, areas the aircraft will fly at low altitude to capture geological information and data include Oshimili, Aniocha-North Aniocha – South, Ika South, Ika North – East, Ndokwa – West and Isoko South LGAs.
According to the statement 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 adds that the sensitisation has become very necessary given the security situation in the country and to ensure that the people are not misinformed or dis-informed as the Governorship elections approaches in States.
Ishaku KIGBU stressed 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 activity.
It further states that the program experienced overlaps due to weather conditions and logistical reasons but has been progressing well since it started.
KIGBU said the activity has achieved over 40% success in data acquisition and therefore remains very safe.
The Statement urged the people of Delta State not to misconstrue the activity as attack on the people or panic but note that it is a continuation of data acquisition in the affected areas of the State.
