Kolmani oil exploration to resume this month – Senator Buba

The Senator representing Bauchi South, Shehu Umar Buba, has said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will resume oil exploration this month in the Kolmani oil field between Bauchi and Gombe states.

Buba, who disclosed this while responding to questions from journalists yesterday in Bauchi on why the federal government abandoned the project, said the issue of the Kolmani oil exploration had become a source of concern to stakeholders from Bauchi and Gombe states.

Buba, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence, said, “When we were inaugurated at the Senate, the Kolmani oil issue was the first thing I intended to bring a motion about. I contacted critical stakeholders, especially NNPCL through the Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and some lawmakers from the affected states and we held a meeting with Kyari.

“We demanded to know why since the ground-breaking ceremony of the oil wells by former President Muhammadu Buhari activities at the site were abandoned. The GMD has given us details and convincing explanations about the exploration of oil. NNPC has already awarded a contract to an Indian firm and right now they are in the country making preparations.”

He added that, “Kyari has assured us that by the grace of God within this month of February activities at the Kolmani oil wells will resume fully.”