FG renews license for crude oil exploration in Kolmani area

By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has disclosed that the Federal Government has renewed the licence for the crude oil exploration in the Kolmani area of Bauchi and Gombe States.

He made the disclosure at the official groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, located in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the State.

Lokpobiri said that the renewal of the license was a deliberate attempt and show of commitment by the Federal Government to increase the number of barrels currently being drilled to 2.5 million before the end of the year.

He said: “Today, we are drilling about 100 million barrels and our target is to drill 2.5 million barrels before the year ends. What we want to see is to ensure that the Kolmani region also contributes to our own barrels and that is why we are totally in support of what you are doing here today.

“When I became minister, my attention was drawn to the fact that the oil licence for the Kolmani had expired and so the company couldn’t do anything. I consulted Mr President and he gave an immediate order for me to renew all the licenses for the Kolmani project.”

The Minister who described the establishment of the oil and gas academy as timely expressed confidence that the institution would be significant in shaping the future of the Nigeria energy industry and provide the needed manpower to not only the State but in the oil sector in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who acknowledged the support of the Federal Government in developing oil and gas manpower in the state, expressed gratitude to former president Muhammadu Buhari for the discovery and flagging off of the exploration of oil and gas in Bauchi and noted the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“This school we are building today, we have gotten a lot of support from the NATAL resources account of the federal government where the last administration approved N17 billion for us. It is out of it that we are using N6 billion to build this school and the contributions of the federal government in the project is enormous.

“The academy has been provided with befitting offices, classrooms, and accommodations equipped with basic furniture and equipment. Also as part of efforts to develop its ICT, the institution has been provided with an online management system and ICT center equipped with one hundred sets of computers to facilitate effective e-learning services,” he said.

The Governor stressed that the academy is envisioned as a centre of excellence in energy education which is designed to equip the youths with the technical training and industry-ready skills they need to thrive in the Oil and gas sector.

He said that his inspiration to establish the institution was to prepare and give the young citizens of the State limitless opportunities.

Mohammed said: “The vision to establish the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy was conceived shortly after the historic discovery of oil in Kolmani. It was inspired by a deep desire to prepare our young people for the boundless opportunities and emerging challenges within the evolving energy landscape.

“I was deeply encouraged by Senator Lokpobiri’s gracious remarks and by his pledge of support for the development of the Kolmani Oil Field. His presence and commitment reflect the strong partnership between our state and the Federal Government.

“As we laid the foundation stone together, I reaffirmed our shared aspiration to see Bauchi become a leading player in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry”.

He called on the people of Bauchi State to continue supporting the vision as his administration works assiduously toward sustainable progress and inclusive growth.