By Samuel Akpan
In a move expected to stimulate growth across the North-East, the Federal Government has committed to resuming suspended operations at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State.
This critical intervention follows a sudden halt in operations last year, prompting immediate federal assessment to get the multi-billion naira energy project back on track.
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Bello, confirmed the government’s stance on Monday during an official verification visit to the site.
Bello emphasized that the project’s revival is a top priority for the presidency, noting: “We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return.
“We want to come and verify for ourselves what is going on so that we can advocate for this project, this important project, to continue, so that the people of the North-East of Nigeria can further benefit.”
The federal team is currently evaluating the site to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the resumption of work.
According to the RMAFC boss, President Bola Tinubu is personally interested in seeing the project succeed.
Bello added: “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.”
He said the commission planned to utilize its internal oil and gas committees to monitor progress closely, stating, “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.”
During the visit, the high powered delegation also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, a project partially funded by the RMAFC.
Bello praised the Bauchi State Government for building the institution, which is designed to train local workers to man the oil field once operations resume.
The intervention comes after a worrying disclosure by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, who revealed that drilling operations had completely dried up a year ago.
Maiwada explained: “When we came here, actually there was no activity. Shortly after you left, between January 2025 and somewhere around June 2025, July 2025, we received news from the host community that the company operating in this area was demobilising.”
He further noted that the state had to form a joint team with local authorities to engage the technical handlers after the abrupt exit.
With the RMAFC visit signaling a strong federal comeback, local authorities are enthusiastic about providing the necessary collaboration to ensure smooth operations.
Expressing readiness for the restart, the commissioner said:,“Bauchi State under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed is ever ready to provide every manpower needed to support the exploration.”
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