PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has granted regulatory approvals for the issuance of all critical licences required for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative located between Bauchi and Gombe states.
The development was disclosed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, quoted Lokpobiri as saying the approvals were part of efforts to ramp up oil production by activating all available hydrocarbon platforms across the country.
He said, “The imperative to activate all available oil platforms for increased production led President Bola Tinubu to grant approvals for the issuance of all critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Projects.”
Lokpobiri noted that the administration was committed to leveraging the full potential of Nigeria’s energy resources to drive industrial growth, create jobs and boost national revenue.
“Mr President is intentional about transforming our energy landscape into one that fuels industrial growth, creates jobs and enhances national revenue,” he stated.
Commending Bauchi State for aligning with the Federal Government’s energy goals, the minister said the establishment of the oil and gas academy demonstrated the state’s commitment to building local capacity for the sector.
“With this academy, Bauchi is making a strategic contribution to the development of the human capital needed to drive our sector forward,” he added.
The minister also highlighted the importance of developing local capacity to manage Nigeria’s abundant fossil fuel reserves, while commending the Petroleum Technology Development Fund for its role in manpower development.
“PTDF has played a critical role in ensuring that our sector is not just productive but also future-ready,” Lokpobiri noted, expressing optimism that the new institution would forge a strong partnership with the PTDF.
On his part, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, appreciated the Federal Government’s support and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the academy’s success.
“This institution will serve as a foundation for skill acquisition and innovation that will benefit not just Bauchi State but the entire nation,” the governor said.
The Kolmani Integrated Development Project, first inaugurated in November 2022, marking the start of oil exploration in Northern Nigeria. It’s situated in the Kolmani River II oil field, a border community between Bauchi and Gombe States.
Last week, the Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed that the state-owned energy firm would resume oil drilling in the oil field
According to him, these projects will allow previously closed companies to reopen so they can continue operating and open new ones. “This will bring benefits to the region, which will lead to everyone benefiting because wealth will increase. Therefore, we must return and continue this project,” he said.
“We will continue with the oil drilling in Kolmani and other places. After the oil drilling, we will also ensure that we complete the gas pipeline from Ajaokuta to Kano,” Ojulari said.