KOLMANI INTERGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN ALKALERI LGA BAUCHI STATE-THANK YOU MR.PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI-GOVERNOR BALA ABDULKADIR MOHAMMED CON KAURAN BAUCHI, JAGABAN KATAGUM:#KSMF REPORTERS BAUCHI STATE

BAUCHI GOVERNMENT TO WORK WITH GOMBE COUNTERPART FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT ON KOLMANI INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 

:To sensitize host communities on the importance of the project 

:As President Buhari flagged off commencement of oil drilling in Kolmani oil field

:Says the development attracted $3bn investments

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday flagged off the commencement of oil drilling in Kolmani oil field straddled between Bauchi and Gombe states, saying the development attracted $3bn Investments.

At the flagging off of the oil facility, President Buhari said the successful discovery of Kolmani Oil and gas Field by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Bauchi and Gombe states has broken the jinx of oil discovery in upper Benue Trough apart from the Niger Delta.

On utilising the Komani field, the President said as a fully integrated development project comprising upstream production, oil refining, power generation and fertilizer, the project promises many benefits for the nation which includes but not limited to Energy security, Financial Security, Food security as well as overall socio-economic development for the country.

He said his administration's directive to the NNPC to re-strategize and expanded its oil and gas exploration footprints to the front-yard basins of Anambra, Dahome, Sokoto, Benue and Chad River Basins, adding that similar activities across other River basins are currently on-going across the country. 

“We are pleased with the current discovery of over 1 billion barrels of oil reserves and 500 billion Cubic Feet of Gas within the Kolmani area and the huge potentials for more deposits as we intensify exploration efforts. It is therefore to the credit of this administration that at a time when there is near zero appetite for investment in fossil energy, coupled with the location challenges, we are able attract investment of over USD 3 billion to this project."

President Buhari while urging NNPC to utilize and leverage on its vast asset and portfolio across all corridors of operations in order to attract the much needed investments into the project, applauded governors of Bauchi and Gombe States for their unwavering commitment and willingness to support and cooperate in their localities as the activity affects the local populations.

In a key note address, the Bauchi state governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed promised to work with his Gombe state counterpart for mutual benefit on the 

Kolmani Integrated Development Project.

According to the governor, despite the Kolmani River being the territorial demarcation of the borderline between Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi state and Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state, there was no conflict or tension between the two states, saying that, the discovery of oil in the communities will be for the benefit of all especially in reducing poverty and unemployment.

He assured the President and all the stakeholders  that Bauchi state government will closely collaborate with Gombe state, work in tandem for the benefit of the good people of the two states and the nation at large and as part of global best practice, Bauchi Sate is ready to sign a collaborative agreement with Gombe State, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited and the investors to ensure synergy, efficiency and conflict prevention and management.  

"Today, being the 22nd of November 2022, another history is made, President Muhammadu Buhari is here again to flag-off the Kolmani Integrated Development Project. This is a day that will be cemented in our memories throughout our lives. It is a day that will be remembered for heralding the economic prosperity of our good people of Bauchi State.

"Mr. President, our deep gratitude, and appreciation to your leadership cannot be overstated. This is very well in-line with your drive to bring economic activities in every nook and cranny of the country. This project is going to be one of your most important legacies. It will not only assist the country in generating more revenue, it will also create jobs, fights poverty, and promote sustainable and environmentally friendly development.

"For us in Bauchi State, this is an exciting moment. To our able investors, I would like to assure you that your investments will be safe and will yield positive returns. The Host Community of Barambu village in Alkaleri LG has been a wonderful and reliable host. We are going to enlighten and sensitize the people on the importance of this project. Fortunately, there is a provision for the Host Communities in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed by Mr. President last year.

"We look forward to your active involvement in the state through Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) that directly touches the lives of the host communities and the people of Bauchi State at large. The entire people of Bauchi are going to ensure this turns out to be a success story. We invite you to invest in our state not just in Oil and Gas but also in other sector of the economy. Bauchi is blessed with arable land for agriculture, mineral resources and most importantly the law abiding and peaceful indigenes of the state.

"NNPC is already walking the talk of your new motto of “Energy for Today, Energy for Tomorrow”. We call on the NNPC to continue to lead the way for continuous exploration, discovery, and similar projects for the socio- economic development of the country and to ensure energy security and alleviate energy poverty."

Governor Bala Mohammed who pointed out that, Bauchi State was already among the top in the World Bank and Federal Government ranking on the Ease of Doing Business, pledged to continue to support the efforts and policies of the Federal Government to protect lives and property, and promote economic prosperity.

Mukhtar Gidado, Mnipr

Special Adviser Media & Publicity to the Governor 

22nd/11/2022