By Our Correspondent
It is good news for the Nigerian economy as 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 in northern Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed the development 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 by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor on Sunday quoted Lokpobiri as saying the approvals were part of efforts to ramp up oil production by activating all available hydrocarbon platforms across the country.
“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”, he said.
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.
According to him, President Tinubu is “intentional about transforming our energy landscape into one that fuels industrial growth, creates jobs and enhances national revenue”.
He commended the Bauchi State for aligning with the Federal Government’s energy goals, adding that 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 (PTDF) 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.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, on his part, 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 was first inaugurated in November 2022, marking the start of oil exploration in Northern Nigeria. It is located in the Kolmani River II oil field, a border community between Bauchi and Gombe states.
The Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari recently hinted that the NNPCL would resume oil drilling in the oil field.
“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 concluded.
