By Ahmed Ahmed
The Kolmani Oil Wells in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi have raised concerns over the slow pace of exploration activities.
Eng. Hassan Usman Mahmud, Acting Chairman of the Crude Oil Monitoring Committee of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), expressed disappointment over the lack of progress at the site during a recent visit.
Mahmud’s concerns were echoed by the community and Nigerians, who are eagerly waiting to see the benefits of the oil exploration.
The Kolmani oil exploration was inaugurated two years ago by former President Muhammadu Buhari, marking a significant milestone in the country’s oil and gas industry
Despite the slow progress, the Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, assured that the state government will continue to support the project.
“We have already assured the federal government and the companies involved of our holistic support, including security, social amenities, and logistics,” Jatau said.
Engineer Abdulhamid Aminu of Sterling Global, the company handling the project, revealed that efforts are being channeled towards drilling two additional wells.
The wells are expected to be completed by March next year, after which crude oil lifting will commence.
Aminu also announced plans to recruit 13 staff from local communities as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility
The Kolmani Oil Wells are expected to produce one billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 500 billion standard cubic feet of gas.
However, the project has been plagued by controversy, with both Bauchi and Gombe states laying claims to the oil wells
