The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the remobilisation of oil exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, describing the project as a strategic development with significant economic implications for Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Bello, made the commitment on Monday during a verification visit to the Kolmani Oil Field.
Bello explained that the visit was aimed at assessing the current condition and status of the project, identifying challenges affecting its progress, and exploring possible ways of ensuring that activities at the site resume.
According to him, the commission considers the continuation of the Kolmani project important because of its potential to contribute to Nigeria’s economic development and expand the country’s sources of revenue.
He stressed that the importance of the project goes beyond Bauchi State and the North-East, noting that its successful development would have implications for the entire country.
The Kolmani oil field is regarded as one of the significant petroleum prospects in northern Nigeria, with expectations that its development could contribute to domestic oil production and strengthen the country’s energy sector.
Bello said the Federal Government was interested in ensuring that the necessary steps were taken to revive exploration activities and move the project forward.
He noted that the successful development of the oil field could generate additional revenue for government at different levels, while also creating opportunities for employment, investment and economic activities within Bauchi State and neighbouring areas.
The RMAFC chairman further emphasised the need for relevant government agencies and stakeholders to work together to address issues that may have slowed down the project.
He said the commission would continue to engage with the appropriate authorities and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at ensuring the continuation of exploration activities at the site.
Bello also highlighted the broader economic opportunities that could arise from the development of petroleum resources in the North-East, particularly at a time when the Federal Government is seeking to diversify and strengthen Nigeria’s revenue base.
He maintained that the availability of commercially viable oil resources in the region could stimulate infrastructure development and attract new investments.
The chairman assured stakeholders that the commission would continue to monitor developments surrounding the Kolmani project and advocate for measures that would facilitate its progress.
He described the project as a national asset whose successful development could benefit Bauchi State, the North-East and Nigeria as a whole.
The verification visit therefore marks another step in renewed efforts to assess the status of the Kolmani Oil Field and explore avenues for the resumption of activities, with the Federal Government expressing its readiness to support the process.
