President Bola Tinubu has approved the granting of all crucial licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a multibillion-dollar oil exploration endeavour located between Bauchi and Gombe states.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), reported the news during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy’s permanent site in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the minister’s special adviser on media and communication, Nneamaka Okafor, Lokpobiri stated that the permissions were part of measures to increase oil output by activating all accessible hydrocarbon platforms throughout 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 mentioned 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.
He commended 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 emphasised the necessity of building indigenous capacity to handle Nigeria’s enormous fossil fuel reserves and praised the Petroleum Technology Development Fund for its contribution to personnel development.
“PTDF has played a critical role in ensuring that our sector is not only productive but also future-ready,” Lokpobiri said, expressing hope that the new organisation will form a solid cooperation with the PTDF.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, thanked the Federal Government for its support and reiterated 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 opened in November 2022, signalling the beginning of oil drilling in Northern Nigeria. It is located near the Kolmani River II oil field, which is a border village between Bauchi and Gombe states.
Last week, Bayo Ojulari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, revealed that the state-owned energy firm would resume oil drilling in the oil field.
According to him, these projects will allow previously closed enterprises to reopen so they may continue working and open new ones.
