FG Moves to Revive Kolmani Oil Exploration as RMAFC Begins Assessment
The Federal Government has commenced moves to revive exploration activities at the stalled Kolmani oil field in Bauchi State, with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) undertaking an assessment of the project to determine measures required for its remobilisation.
The RMAFC Chairman, Muhammad Bello, disclosed this on Monday during a verification visit to the oil field, saying the commission would assess the current state of the project and make recommendations to relevant authorities on the way forward.
Bello said reviving exploration at Kolmani was critical not only to Bauchi State and the North-East but also to Nigeria’s broader economic interests.
“We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return,” he said, adding that the commission was at the site to verify developments and gather information that would enable it advocate for the continuation of the project.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu remains committed to the project and has assured the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states that efforts would be made to remobilise exploration activities.
“We know for a fact that Mr President is very much concerned as far as this project is concerned. We know that he has assured the two governors that there will be mobilisation for the project to continue,” Bello said.
The RMAFC chairman said the commission would submit its findings to the appropriate authorities after completing its assessment and continue to monitor developments through its oil and gas committee.
“We will go back after assessing what type of project this is and what is going on. We will continue to follow it because we operate by committees, and we will be looking at oil and gas,” he added.
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The move comes after exploration activities at the site were suspended, with the Bauchi State Government confirming that work stopped around July 2025.
The state Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, said the government was alerted to the development after members of the host community reported that the technical company handling the project had begun demobilising from the site.
He said the state government subsequently constituted a joint team with the local government to engage the technical company and determine the reasons for the demobilisation.
According to him, the RMAFC verification visit has renewed expectations that activities could resume at the oil field.
The commissioner said the Bauchi State Government was prepared to provide the manpower and other necessary support to facilitate the revival of the project.
“Bauchi State under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed is ever ready to provide every manpower needed to support the exploration,” he said.
The Kolmani oil project is considered potentially significant to the economic development of the North-East. Its revival could generate employment, stimulate demand for technical and support services and expand economic activities in the region if commercially viable petroleum reserves are established.
During the visit, the RMAFC chairman also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy and commended the state government for establishing an institution aimed at developing skilled manpower for the petroleum industry.
Bello said the academy could play a strategic role in providing trained personnel for the Kolmani project if exploration advances to full-scale operations.
He also disclosed that RMAFC contributed part of the funding for the construction of the institution.
The commission said it would continue engaging relevant stakeholders and monitoring developments as efforts to revive exploration activities at the Kolmani oil field gather momentum.
By PRNigeria
