A crisis appears to be brewing over ownership of the Kolmani Oil and Gas field, with both Bauchi and Gombe States claiming the oil wells,Punch reports.
Officials and residents in both states have also accused each other of attempting to seize the site, which is said to hold one billion barrels of crude oil and 500 billion standard cubic feet of gas.
The news comes just two weeks after the President Muhammadu Buhari officially launched oil exploration at the Kolmani oil field by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited and its joint venture partners.
Kolmani in North-East Nigeria is said to have commercial quantities of oil, with Oil Prospecting Licences 809 and 810 spanning Kolmani One, Two, Three, Four, and Five.
During the event, Buhari revealed that the project has already attracted over $3 billion in investment.
“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, as well as the huge potential for more deposits as we intensify exploration efforts,” said the president.
“It is thus to this administration’s credit that, at a time when there is near zero appetite for investment in fossil energy, coupled with the location challenges, we are able to attract investment of over $3 billion to this project,” he added.
Buhari stated that the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states had assured him of their unwavering commitment and willingness to ensure local support and cooperation.
The governors’ assurances, however, appeared to have been forgotten as the two states declared themselves to be the rightful owners of the oil-rich field.
Gombe claims ownership
While insisting on Gombe’s ownership of the contentious Kolmani field, Alhaji Ahmed Gara-Gombe, Special Adviser to Gombe State Governor on Information Management and Strategy, blamed the controversy on the boundary commission.
“The truth is that the Kolmani oil well is in Gombe State; Akko Local Government, Pindiga emirate, Tai district, Kaltanga Mamuda ward,” he said. It is unrelated to Bauchi State or Alkaleri Local Government.
“If clearing the records is regarded as a crisis, so be it.” In this matter, the National Boundary Commission, or NNPC, is a hypocrite; they know the truth and should come clean.”
The solution, according to Gara-Gombe, is to give Gombe what is rightfully its, adding, “Kolmani.” One is in Bauchi State, in Alkeleri; let them go and investigate. Gombe has four oil wells.”
“Again, we need an independent jury to determine and verify our claims,” he said. Our people, whose land was illegally taken in the name of an access road and who were compensated between N64,000 and N117,000 by the NNPC, must be compensated appropriately.
“NNPC should go to the Gombe side and build a road like they did on the Bauchi side.” Furthermore, the Pindiga (Gombe) to Kolmani route is shorter and more pleasant than the Bauchi (side) route, which is longer and less pleasant.”
Bauchi government responds
The Commissioner for Information in Bauchi State, Yakubu Ningi, spoke to Punch correspondent on the phone saying that the state government would consult widely before making its position on the matter public.
“Although the governor was invited to speak on the matter on a television program, he did not go because he realized the matter was taking on a different dimension,” he said.
“He wants to hold broader consultations before making the Bauchi State government’s position on the matter public.” His Excellency advised that “you should give us some time to articulate our position before going to press later.”
‘Bauchi controls Kolmani.’
Lawmaker responds to claims
In response to Gombe’s claims about the oil field, Muhammad Bako, the member representing Pali Constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, where the area is located, emphasized that it belonged to Bauchi.
“This is not an issue for the youths because when you bring in the youths, the issue becomes child’s play,” he added. They are being sponsored by people and are unsure of where the line is.
“The chairman of the National Boundary Commission is from Gombe State, but when the issue of verifying the boundary arose, he went and saw it; they thought the boundary was in Gombe.”
“But when they saw it, they left and never returned because they realized the oil was in Bauchi, not Gombe.” And you know how people use youths to cause problems or crises, but I am urging them not to cause trouble that will consume them. They are being funded by people who have no knowledge of the oil.”
Going back in time, the lawmaker said the oil was discovered when Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was a minister.
“This oil was first discovered when Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the minister of works; that is when the history of this oil began,” Bako contended. Then, during the late General Sani Abacha’s regime, he began drilling for oil at Barumbu and died.
“When Olusegun Obasanjo arrived, he allegedly sent (messages), and the oil well was allegedly blocked, and the issue was no longer discussed.” So, when Buhari arrived, he restarted the drilling.”
“The one in Barumbu was recently flushed.” Then two more holes were drilled. The one flushed in Barumbu, as well as the two new ones, are not in Gombe. “The boundary between Bauchi and Gombe, as well as these oil wells, stretches for up to 20 kilometers,” he said.
To support his claim that the area belongs to Bauchi, the lawmaker stated that all of the communities in the jurisdiction paid taxes to the state government.
“There are traditional rulers in Bauchi and Gombe states,” he added. All traditional leaders in the communities where oil has been discovered pay their taxes to the Bauchi State government. Over the last 100 years, Gombe’s traditional rulers have paid taxes to Gombe.
“So, if a traditional ruler dies in any of those communities, will Gombe State install a new one?” He will be appointed by the Bauchi State government, not Gombe. And as a result, they have no excuse.”
The lawmaker pleaded for peace, warning residents not to incite militancy in the wake of the oil discovery.
In response to Bako’s claims, Gombe governor’s media aide, Gara-Gombe, simply stated, “Does it mean that the chairman of the National Boundary Commission, who is from there, who is their son, has rejected his home state and is now supporting Bauchi?” Do they adore Gombe more than he adores himself? You must request an answer from him.”
Culled from Punch
